Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road – the comeback of a cult series

Inazuma Eleven makes its return with a simultaneous worldwide release. The first game became an unexpected success in 2011, supported by a dedicated community that embraced its unusual football RPG concept. More than a decade later, Victory Road builds on that legacy with a refined new direction that feels familiar yet more focused.

The story begins twenty-five years after the original. Destin Billows has abandoned football due to a heart condition and avoids anything that reminds him of it. His encounter with Briar Bloomhurst, a student with a contradicting reputation, brings him back onto the field. At the same time, the narrative introduces Harper Evans, the talented striker of Raimon Junior High and the son of one of the series’ former icons. This setup creates different perspectives on the same sport and offers a more grounded experience.

A dynamic tension grows between these characters and drives the campaign forward. Destin searches for direction while Harper deals with the expectations of a football academy. These elements shape a compact story that relies on clear motivations rather than big twists.

Before playing the first match, players explore the world in RPG mode. You guide your team through atmospheric areas, talk to characters, and gather clues that structure the progression. When encountering opponents, the game switches to turnbased battles with the signature Level-5 approach. The system follows a rockpaperscissors logic that stays fair and engaging.

These exploration elements transition smoothly into the actual matches. The core gameplay continues to rely on football infused with roleplaying features. Duels use numerical values influenced by position, elements, and stamina. When two players meet, a short decision phase determines the outcome based on opposing actions. Special moves can be triggered strategically and are often presented with dramatic animations. The system is easy to learn yet flexible enough to shape teams in different ways.

Visually, Victory Road is the strongest entry in the series to date. The familiar anime look appears far more expressive in HD, with rich colours, strong facial expressions, and improved animation quality. The signature style of Level-5, also known for Ni no Kuni, Yo-kai Watch, and Fantasy Life i, is unmistakable. Animated sequences by MAPPA, one of the industry’s most in-demand studios, enhance the presentation with scenes at series-level quality that are smoothly integrated.

Training includes minigames designed to improve the entire team at once. These activities range from timing challenges to quickreaction tasks. They fit naturally into the overall experience and offer extra motivation to keep team development balanced. The focus lies clearly on efficiency and clarity.

The Chronicle Mode forms the game’s most extensive component. More than 5,400 characters and 150 teams from across the series history are included, organised through the Inazuma Victory Bus, which revisits past encounters in new ways. Many matches need to be won repeatedly, and certain characters unlock only after multiple victories. The mode demands patience and rewards players with a wide range of combinations and nostalgic moments. It feels thoughtfully built and expands organically over many hours.

The Kizuna Station acts as a social hub. Players create an avatar, place objects from the series’ history, and meet others. Stickers, emotes, and spontaneous matches produce small social interactions that enrich progression and team building. The concept aims to create a shared space where progress becomes visible rather than offering a traditional online mode.

Technically, Victory Road demonstrates how consistently Level-5 has refined the series’ aesthetic. The familiar anime design translates into a cohesive world with vivid colours and smooth animations, performing especially well on the Switch 2 version. Crosssave support also enables seamless switching between PC and console.

Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road is a modern renewal of the series with nostalgic touches. Level-5 strengthens the structure and pacing, MAPPA contributes impressive cutscenes, and the Chronicle Mode reconnects the franchise with its roots. Anyone diving in will quickly sense that the series has rediscovered its identity. A remarkable return that bridges past and present with ease.