Inazuma Eleven

If the phrase "soccer RPG" has you the least bit intrigued, lace up your cleats and grab your stylus — Inazuma Eleven's masterful mix of lighthearted storytelling and over-the-top soccer is fun, fresh, and surprisingly deep.

Inazuma Eleven is one of the best role-playing experiences I've had in a long time, and more importantly, rekindled a youthful feeling I've grown to miss.

Inazuma Eleven surprises in just how well it pulls off its ambitions. It's not perfect, but darn is it fun! Even for non-soccer fans, there's a lot to like here

If you want a serious soccer game, or if you favor monster-slaying to sportsmanship, Inzuma Eleven won't do much for you. If you're open to the idea combining the genres into an experience that's solid and a bit silly, Inazuma Eleven will make you laugh and cheer. Ole ole ole.

This is a solid debut for the franchise in North America and, at $19.99, an easy recommendation for RPG and soccer fans alike.

Inazuma Eleven took a sport I didn’t care for and managed to make it exciting. My 30-hour adventure did drag a bit with the constant, and ultimately useless, random battle system, but the strategic matches and compelling story made it hard to put down.

Inazuma Eleven is a quirky and novel RPG, but the on-field action is too unrefined to be rewarding.

Inazuma Eleven is by no means a perfect game; I can't see any reason why it had to be touch screen controlled, nor is there any excuse for why the soccer action itself is so poor. But, as a sport-themed JRPG, it's a niche kind of game, but an entertaining one.

Fans of sports games or RPGs may hate the game and its weird control system, whilst those who are away from both genres may find something different and satisfying. Those who endure the first three hours and get used to the controls will find a long campaign, with up to 20 hours of gameplay. When you get there, though, you will be tired of that much soccer and of the absurd that will carry you until the final match.

It's a full-fledged RPG at a bargain price, with plenty of footie fun for casual and hardcore RPG fans alike.

I have real issues with the soccer-RPG mechanics, but once you get over the initial hump, it smoothes out a little bit.

While it's been a monumental pleasure to finally be able to play Inazuma Eleven in North America, the game reeks of missed potential.

For any fans of those old RPGs, this should be a fun throwback for you. For kids, it’ll be a fun introduction to the genre. For everybody else… what the hell, it’s still a fun way to waste some time.