Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road Review – Building a Team, Rebuilding a Dream

Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road Review

9 years after its initial announcement, the latest entry in the JRPG football series finally releases. A cult classic led by renowned developers Level-5, Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road aims to deliver a heartfelt tale combined with a tactical twist on the sport. With fans waiting almost a decade to return to the pitch, the pressure is immense. So, was the long wait worth it?

You play as Destin, a young, disgruntled boy who avoids football at all costs. New to South Cirrus Junior High, he chooses the school specifically because it doesn’t have a football team, hoping for a fresh start. Told via flashbacks, you soon learn that Destin once loved the sport, but after collapsing on the pitch, doctors informed him he had a heart condition, meaning he can never play again. Struggling to cope, he tries to ignore its existence until he witnesses a true talent. This reignites his love for the beautiful game, sending you on an adventure to uncover the truth behind football’s expulsion, reinstate the sport, and build a team capable of being the best.

Building a Team

The story is more than its overarching plot; it’s about the characters and the bonds you form with their quirky personalities. Everyone you meet has an intriguing backstory that feeds into the larger objective. Distinct in both design and mannerisms, each character feels unique, creating a wonderful dynamic among the players you recruit throughout the journey. This leads to several impactful emotional beats, resulting in a strong, immersive narrative. With impressive cutscenes, full English and Japanese voice acting, and an incredible score that heightens those emotional moments, the presentation elevates the story into a wonderfully executed and deeply engaging tale.

Those playing Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road solely for its football will be disappointed. The campaign is a story-driven adventure where on-the-pitch action intersperses objective-driven missions. Some tasks can be a little repetitive due to the fetch quest structure and at times, they overstay their welcome; however, the purpose is always clear, making each objective feel meaningful. Even side missions have small quirky stories that help to flesh out the world, making exploration enjoyable. Footballs line the streets, requiring you to give them a kick to earn a reward. While only small, these tasks keep you immersed and improve traversal across areas.

More Than a Match

Gameplay varies when on and off the pitch. While roaming the environment, you’ll encounter situations that require you to take part in rock, paper, scissor battles. Although this lacks the depth of titles that use a similar triangular formula, such as Fire Emblem, it’s still a fun system where you must read and react to attacks. In addition to this, minigames add variety, often using the theme of football for smaller tasks. Level-5 manages to keep the sport at the centre of the experience, whether performing menial tasks or recruiting players, everything leads towards your prime objective.

On the pitch is where the gameplay shines. It’s a wonderful combination of RPG and football, which manages to capture the tactical nature of the sport. One-on-one encounters become tense games of chance, where you must either shift your body to block an opponent or dash past them to break free. Pinging a cross-field ball carries the risk of interception, with success percentages tied to player positioning. Shots, meanwhile, can be blocked by defenders or saved by the keeper, pushing you to evade the opposition for a clean attempt or wear the goalkeeper down through repeated efforts. Specials and tactical options round out the on-pitch action, resulting in a brilliant and refreshing take on the sport.

Extra Time

In addition to the substantial Story Mode, the game also includes a wealth of other modes to provide countless hours of entertainment. Chronicle Mode celebrates the history of the franchise, following events from previous games in the series, allowing fans to relive iconic moments. You can head to Battle Bay Stadium to hone your skills in offline matches before heading to Competitive Mode, where you can take part in online ranked and friendly matches. Finally, there’s also Kizuna Station, a cosy spin on the world, allowing you to customise the environment and decorate it. While not all modes may land with fans, there’s definitely something for everyone.

Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road perfectly blends JRPG mechanics with football to deliver a unique and refreshing experience. The story is beautifully presented, featuring high-quality cutscenes and an excellent soundtrack that enhances its emotional beats. While the main campaign does suffer from some pacing issues, it remains a strong tale with a satisfying conclusion. Add in a wide range of modes, and you’re left with an excellent package that’s absolutely bursting with content. A fantastic return to the pitch, Victory Road captures the heart of the series while pushing it forward.

***PS5 code provided by the publisher***