INAZUMA ELEVEN

INAZUMA ELEVEN is all about football, but not the kind you're used to. This game throws you into the shoes of Mark Evans, a passionate goalkeeper leading his ragtag team at Raimon Middle School. The problem? The team's a joke, barely holding it together and Mark’s got a serious uphill battle to turn things around, but when a mysterious striker named Axel Blaze shows up, things start looking up. The story kicks into high gear when an evil organization, Aliea Academy, starts taking over schools with ridiculously overpowered soccer teams, and it's up to Mark and his crew to stop them. Yeah, it's soccer, but with insane super moves, dramatic rivalries and a plot that feels like an anime, 'cuz it literally is.   

The game mixes RPG elements with soccer matches, and it works way better than you think. You control your team in overworld exploration, talking to NPCs, solving light puzzles and recruiting new players, because what's an RPG without a recruitment grind? The matches are where things get wild. You move your players in real time, but when you want to shoot, pass or tackle, it switches to a turn based duel where you pick moves and hope your stats or timing win out. The special moves are the real stars here: imagine firing a flaming dragon from your foot or summoning a literal tornado to block a shot. It’s over the top, but that’s the charm.   

The plot got that classic underdog vibe, with Mark's team constantly facing impossible odds and pulling off ridiculous comebacks. The characters are tropey but likable, you've got the hotheaded ace, the quiet genius, the comic relief, and even a dude who's basically a ninja. The dialogue can be corny, but it's got heart and the way the team grows together is satisfying. The Aliea Academy arc cranks up the stakes, turning what starts as a simple sports story into a save the world scenario.   

For its time, the game's visuals are solid. The sprites are expressive and the super moves get flashy cut ins that make every goal feel epic. The music are bangers. The main theme will get stuck in your head, and the match tracks pump you up perfectly. The only downside maybe is the lack of voice acting outside of battle cries, but the writing carries the personality well enough.