Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions

Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions is a bit like when you fancy watching a game of footy but there's only the Scottish league on the telly. Sure, it looks like football to the untrained eye, and yes, occasionally it's entertaining just like real football, but you're mainly there hoping that someone is going to get chinned.

As a traditional football game, Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions falls flat in many ways. As its own unique interpretation of the sport, though, there's something oddly compelling about the way it gives each goalie an energy bar as if it were some sort of ball-based fighting game (Street Striker II, if you will). Play it with an open mind and as long as you're not against a game that tries something different – as well as plenty of cutscenes – you'll have fun with this one. If you're a fan of the wider Captain Tsubasa franchise, then you're going to love it even more.

Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions marks the franchise's return to gaming after a ten-year hiatus.

There's a certain level of disappointment to shed with Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions. As much as it meets (maybe even exceeds) expectations set earlier this year - which in of itself is a notable accomplishment for any form of adaptation - the lack of care and polish on the PC side of things at present can not go unnoticed.

If you’re a football fan that also loves anime then Captain Tsubasa is a must. There’s no denying it’s a fun game. The visual novel style story modes have some great moments and if you enjoy that style of storytelling you’re in for a treat. Hopefully, this is the start of a renaissance for Captain Tsubasa video games because Rise of New Champions is a great foundation for future instalments.

Overall, Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions is a great game for those who are fans of anime and those looking for a game with flashy skills to enhance the player's experience . On the other hand in terms of game mechanics we can see several gaps, where one of the is related with the robotic movements of the players on the field. If you are looking for an arcade football game it is possibly one of the most interesting and captivating on the market, but it should be noted that it presents a very different premise than games like FIFA or PES, more focused on the technical and simulation aspect of this sport.

A great mix of action, storytelling, and wonderful art, Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions is an awesome arcade football game that truly deserves the world’s stage.

Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions is a faithful adaptation of the famous manga characters and when not possessed by outbursts of problematic reactions from the players or bugs, it is a good and definitely beautiful arcade football game.

You might be pleasantly surprised by Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions!

Sports titles that choose to get away from reality to deliver a fantasy game often sacrifice sophisticated mechanics for more freedom in the game. The case of Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions is no exception. It is an attractive game that does not seek to be a faithful portrayal of soccer, but an arcade experience. Although it takes this approach, it offers many customization options while incorporating fantasy mechanics that delivers a game system which is rewarding and sometimes frustrating and unfair due to some gameplay design issues.