Soccer has been one of the centerpieces of video games for decades. Although the big names that resonate in many people's memories are FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer, there have been other games that have taken the amazing to the field with a vengeance. The most interesting thing about these types of titles is that, besides faithfully recreating one of the competitive sports with the most followers around the world, they also manage to generate a perfect mix between the world of manganime and soccer.

While one of the most well-known franchises in this sense is Captain Tsubasa, which a few years ago tried its luck with the launch of the video game Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions on consoles, there’s another license that has a more successful record in the interactive entertainment sector, although it had a drought of 8 years in terms of a new release. This is Inazuma Eleven which, thankfully, is back with a new title that has broken all possible records with its beta release on Nintendo Switch.

This is Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, the new game from Level-5, experts in creating video games with a distinctive aesthetic that breathes the essence of the great animated series and films. With fun gameplay mechanics and a heartwarming story, it looks set to be one of the big surprises to keep an eye on in 2024.

There's half a million reasons to believe in Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road

The Inazuma Eleven series is by no means one of the most successful in the history of video games, but since its inception in 2008, it has managed to rack up some very interesting numbers. Despite its good run on Nintendo consoles, especially on the 3DS handheld, Level-5 had been letting the franchise rest for a while. As a result, Victory Road's reception has been colossal, demonstrating the public's desire to try a new game in the franchise.

So much so that, despite the fact that it’s currently only available in beta, as the game doesn't have a specific release date, it has already exceeded half a million players who’ve wanted to try out the first stages of this new adventure. All this, taking into account that this first playable test offers minimal content regarding what will be the final product, so it’s impossible to know details of the story, and some game mechanics aren’t yet available.

The most interesting thing about this first beta phase is that it invites players to explore its options to the fullest, and new content will be added over time, in order to receive rewards that can be used when the title reaches its final stage. As such, those who choose to try out this first taste of Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road will get some special equipment and decorative items that will be available from the start when the game launches on Nintendo Switch, scheduled for sometime in 2024. An active trial until 28 June.

Unparalleled skill with the ball at your feet

But what exactly does Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road have to offer to generate so much buzz and differentiate itself from any other soccer game that might border on the video game sector? The key is to move as far away as possible from sports simulation to give way to matches that are based on rules that are completely different from what the public is used to. Chaos, special skills, and unexpected twists and turns are the main attractions to generate a unique experience that gives it an unrepeatable essence.

Of course, we’re still talking about soccer matches. The passing of the ball, goal attempts, and the strategy to try to beat the opposing team are still there. However, there’s little that can be extracted from a real-life match or other simulators such as EA Sports FC. With Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road the feeling is different, as there’s no dribbling mechanic as such, instead every encounter with an opposing player is a duel in which you have to perform a combination of buttons and various actions to get past their defensive line and move forward. Something similar happens when approaching the goal.

The most interesting thing about the title is that it takes into account the strengths and weaknesses of each of the players on the field**, so to a certain extent it becomes an experience fuelled by role-playing mechanics. Shots on goal have their own power, which is balanced by the goalkeeper's defensive stats in a constant struggle to reach a higher force that will pierce the net. A set of skills and attributes that generate a truly addictive gameplay loop with every game.

To achieve this purpose, player action off the field will also be essential in order for players to level up and learn new techniques, so it’s also a central part of the title to achieve the best results. Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road is off to a promising start and, with much still to be discovered before the final product arrives, it looks set to be a major player on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation consoles, mobile devices, and PC in 2024.