The WhatsNext verdict
Inazuma Eleven is an unusually successful soccer RPG whose touchscreen tactics and team-building still define its appeal. Play it if you want anime sports drama wrapped around a genuinely inventive strategy game, and have patience for the grind.
What it does best
A remarkably natural fusion of soccer and RPG adventure
Soccer matches become satisfying tactical puzzles
Building a dream team is the real long-term hook
What might put you off
Grindy recruitment and uneven difficulty
A linear, anime-led campaign
The setup
What you are walking into
Mark Evans is a very talented goalkeeper and the grandson of one of the strongest goalkeepers in Japan, who supposedly died before Mark was born. Even though his skills and enthusiasm are incredible, his school lacks a real soccer club, as the six other members don't appear very interested even in training. One day, when a mysterious forward named Axel Blaze moves to Mark's town, the young goalkeeper sets out to find and recruit members for his soccer team. There are nearly 1000 playable characters with varying skills that will determine the success of the team. As you play through the story, Mark can recruit various characters on the team and help achieve his ultimate goal of competing!
Where it lives
Genre
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