Inazuma Eleven

 DS
  • Publisher: Nintendo
  • Release Date: 08/22/2008 (Japan)
  • Also On: 3DS
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 42 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 42
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 42
  3. Negative: 4 out of 42
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  1. Trey82
    Mar 5, 2020
    4
    It should be noted that, YES, the game is actually fun to play. The story is more approachable than typical weeaboo nonsense.
    BUT. I suggest, that as a STERN warning.. if you find the control setup lacklustre and the first training match or two difficult, then you will NOT complete this game NOR enjoy it.
    The game is such that the first matches, and often ANY match is challenging to    It should be noted that, YES, the game is actually fun to play. The story is more approachable than typical weeaboo nonsense.
    BUT. I suggest, that as a STERN warning.. if you find the control setup lacklustre and the first training match or two difficult, then you will NOT complete this game NOR enjoy it.

    The game is such that the first matches, and often ANY match is challenging to the point of making the rest of the game horrible.

    ITs a shame, too. Because none of it ADDS UP! Are you good at FIFA? Excellent.
    Are you good at JRPGs? Excellent.
    Do you think it'd make a cool crossover idea? IT DOES!
    ... but then you play the game, and it becomes very clear that standard tactics dont work. You will end up spamming the special moves. And that just isnt fun at all. Especially when you reach matches where its so incredibly unfair that no matter how many specials you spam, you still lost.

    The game is cheap. A waste of money. BUT. They get some of the sequels right!
    Either cheat past those matches to enjoy the story or move elsewhere. You'll thank me.    … Expand
  2. ZangBang
    Oct 24, 2022
    2
    26/100
    Inazuma Eleven successfully translates soccer to the videogame format using the quirks of the DS console to craft an entertaining, fun gameplay basis. Regrettably, this simplistic basis, as enjoyable as it is, never develops, evolves or deepens throughout the experience, remaining static with the various side-activities and quests simply repurposing the same exact formula over and    26/100
    Inazuma Eleven successfully translates soccer to the videogame format using the quirks of the DS console to craft an entertaining, fun gameplay basis. Regrettably, this simplistic basis, as enjoyable as it is, never develops, evolves or deepens throughout the experience, remaining static with the various side-activities and quests simply repurposing the same exact formula over and over, with new Special abilities being visually different but technically all identical. This repetitiveness is only aggravated by a terrible difficulty curve, with the first match being incredibly hard while the rest of the game is absurdly easy, and a tedious scouting system to find new players. Even the story doesn't quite get there, made memorable thanks to an exaggerated, spectacularly outlandish depiction of soccer and a cast of charismatic, visually interesting characters, but lacking in everything else, with an excruciatingly formulaic and predictable plot carried by cheap, quick drama and simple villains.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

41
#41 Best DS Game of 2008
23
#23 Most Discussed DS Game of 2008
55
#55 Most Shared DS Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Cubed3
    Aug 12, 2012
    80
    Be sure to check out Inazuma Eleven and hope that it sells well enough to get the superior sequel also localised.
    Read full review
  2. Games Master UK
    Sep 25, 2011
    80
    Even if football doesn't appeal, there's still a solid RPG experience to be had. [Nov 2011, p.95]
  3. Pocket Gamer UK
    Sep 7, 2011
    70
    Inazuma Eleven is an intriguing blend of RPG and soccer that works on so many levels, though the occasional scripted match leaves us crying in the stands.
    Read full review
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