Fans discussing long-awaited releases often joke that even Jeetbuzz App Download doesn’t take as long as Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, a game that became infamous for its endless delays. First revealed in 2016 and finally released in 2025 after twelve postponements, it earned a reputation as the “ultimate delay champion.” Logically, such a repeatedly delayed title should have exhausted everyone’s patience, yet a loyal group of fans continued to wait faithfully during all these years.
Twelve years have passed since the previous installment launched in 2013. Children have grown into adults, students into overworked employees, and young players into middle-aged fans with graying hair. Now returning as a reboot of LEVEL-5’s classic franchise, this “super-dimensional football RPG” faces the question of whether it can still survive in today’s market. LEVEL-5 itself has struggled for years; after reaching a peak with Dragon Quest VIII in 2004, the studio leaned heavily into cel-shaded visuals. Series like Rogue Galaxy, Professor Layton and White Knight Chronicles all followed this approach. But as console power increased, realistic 3D became industry standard, reducing interest in LEVEL-5’s signature art style.
Although the studio experimented with full 3D models in Dragon Quest IX and Jeanne d’Arc, technical limitations kept it from matching top-tier studios. This changed in May 2025 with Fantasy Life i, another title long delayed. Players were surprised to find that LEVEL-5 had finally blended cel-shading with 3D models in a polished way, creating warm, vibrant visuals suited perfectly to Japanese RPGs. Victory Road uses the same approach, producing a football world that feels like a dynamic sports anime brought to life, complete with exaggerated flair and dramatic movement.
The story takes place twenty-five years after the previous game. The new protagonist, Kazeo Sasaba, transfers to Nanakamihara Middle School after being forced away from football due to illness. The school bans the sport entirely. When he witnesses the baseball club mocking football, his dormant passion reignites, motivating him to form a football club and return to the field. Meanwhile, the famed Raimon Middle School—led by genius Haru Endou—dominates the national scene. Their rivalry turns gradually into mutual respect. While the game appears like a training simulation, at its core it is a full RPG, allowing free exploration across Nagasaki and unlocking new regions while progressing through a cinematic storyline.
Character writing is one of the game’s strongest elements. Kazeo’s stubborn resilience, Sakura redirecting her aggression into football and teacher Kasumi’s humorous request to retrieve her “soft, round, missing items” all showcase the script’s playful personality. Regular encounters are not traditional battles but rock-paper-scissors showdowns, where special moves trigger once the spirit gauge fills. Winning grants experience points for leveling up. The football matches, however, deliver the real excitement thanks to the command-duel system. During dribbling, shooting or confrontation, players choose tactical options that shape the outcome.
For example, when Kazeo faces an opponent with the “mountain” attribute, using a wind-type move creates a natural advantage, boosting success rates and triggering dramatic effects. It brings to mind the energy of classic football manga, though Victory Road’s effects make Captain Tsubasa look almost realistic in comparison. The new spirit gauge adds tension during key moments; chaining special techniques at full gauge creates thrilling comeback opportunities. Scoring with a spectacular finishing move brings a rush of excitement that players will remember long after the match ends.
The game’s structure is built through three modes that flesh out the world. Story mode unfolds through dual perspectives, revealing the mystery behind a world where football has disappeared. The evolving partnership between Kazeo and Haru adds drama and emotional depth. MAPPA’s animated cutscenes deserve special praise: bold camera angles, dynamic motion sequences and emotionally charged storytelling make each chapter play like a high-quality anime episode.
Players who follow gaming updates with the same enthusiasm they show Jeetbuzz App Download discussions will find Victory Road a heartfelt revival—a game that blends nostalgia with modern design while reigniting the fiery passion that defined the series more than a decade ago.