In a remarkable testament to patience and dedication, fans of the Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road have emerged victorious after a lengthy wait of nine years. Level-5 first announced the game back in 2016, but the journey has been anything but straightforward, with eight delays—two occurring this very year. Despite these setbacks, the developers have not forgotten their loyal supporters, recently sending out letters to winners of a giveaway held seven years ago.
Fan Reactions and Reviews
The response from the gaming community has been overwhelmingly positive. On Steam, the game boasts an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating, backed by over 600 reviews. Many users express that the long wait was indeed worthwhile. One reviewer, known as Tobithecomic, likened their experience to a nostalgic moment from the film Ratatouille, recalling how the game transported them back to their childhood. Another user, Cuddly_alex, described it as an “absolute goalkeeper of a game,” commending its gameplay, characters, and music, while asserting that the delays only added to its depth. “This game didn’t just score; it hit my soul with a Fire Tornado of nostalgia,” they remarked.
Reddit users have echoed this enthusiasm, praising Level-5 for their commitment to delivering such an ambitious project that draws from the entire Inazuma Eleven series. Players have noted the innovative adaptation of previous campaigns into visual novel-like sequences, as well as the recreation of classic matches. One Redditor, Buttobi, suggested that this installment might be the pinnacle of Level-5’s achievements, especially considering the last mainline game was released in 2013.
However, some critiques have surfaced regarding the game’s pricing in certain regions. With a retail price of .99 (or .99 for the deluxe edition), many fans have pointed out the stark contrast to earlier titles, which were typically priced around half that amount during their Nintendo DS days. This price increase serves as a reflection of the broader inflation trends since 2013.
Despite the pricing concerns, the overall sentiment remains one of joy and satisfaction. Fans are thrilled to see the return of the beloved series, with many feeling that Victory Road has not only met but exceeded their expectations. This year has proven rewarding for both Inazuma Eleven enthusiasts and Hollow Knight: Silksong supporters, as both groups have seen their long-awaited titles finally come to fruition. As the gaming community continues to celebrate these releases, all eyes now turn to Unbeatable, as rhythm game fans await their own moment of triumph after an extended wait of seven years.
