PGC NEWS

The 1980s, a golden age for gaming, brought us iconic titles like Pac-Man, Tetris, and The Legend of Zelda. This era also shaped the childhoods of many with captivating manga series, particularly from Japan, such as Hokuto no Ken, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, and Dragon Ball. These creative works resonate deeply with a generation nostalgic for simpler times.

The gaming industry understands the power of nostalgia, and recent years have seen a surge in classic manga and anime adaptations. However, like annual sports titles or the latest Call of Duty installment, many fall short, relying on the source material’s fame rather than quality gameplay.

Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions is the latest manga to receive the video game treatment. Does it rise to the occasion and become a shining example for future adaptations, or does it follow the well-worn path of its predecessors? Let’s delve in and find out.

Reliving the Dream

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions is its campaign mode, boasting a substantial length for a sports game—a whopping 15 hours! The storyline unfolds across two chapters: Episode: Tsubasa and Episode: New Hero.

Episode: Tsubasa faithfully adapts the “Boys’ Fight” arc from the manga, following protagonist Tsubasa Ozora and his Nankatsu Middle School teammates as they strive to conquer the 16th National Middle School Soccer Tournament.

Tsubasa and his team

The game effectively evokes nostalgia by meticulously recreating iconic moments from the manga. Each match features specific conditions; fulfilling these triggers cutscenes that replay memorable scenes, further enhancing the experience. For example, during the match against Hanawa MS, when the Tachibana twins receive the ball, the game showcases their signature move, the Skylab Hurricane.

The Tachibana twins' Skylab Hurricane

Episode: New Hero deviates from the original storyline, allowing players to create their own character and integrate them into the Captain Tsubasa universe. Players can customize their character’s stats and learn special moves from other characters, adding a personalized touch to the gameplay.

This chapter takes place during the “J Boys’ Challenge” arc, albeit with a twist. Instead of the International Jr. Youth tournament in France, the game features the Jr. Youth World Challenge in the USA.

The Jr. Youth World Challenge

Unique Gameplay

Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions offers a refreshing departure from traditional football games like FIFA or PES. Each player possesses unique skills, encouraging strategic team composition and utilization.

The core gameplay involves dribbling past opponents and scoring goals. A unique dodging mechanic allows players to bypass defenders by pressing R1+R2. Successful dodges allow for continued dribbling and restore Spirit Gauge, crucial for performing special skills, sprinting, and blocking.

Dodging a defender

Scoring in this game is unconventional. Goalkeepers have a Spirit Gauge representing their stamina. Players must deplete this gauge with special shots like Tsubasa’s Drive Shot, Hyuga’s Tiger Shot, or Nitta’s Falcon Shot before scoring. The damage inflicted depends on the player’s stats; powerful characters like Hyuga or Tsubasa can score with fewer shots.

Scoring a goal

The V-Zone mechanic enhances all player stats for a short period, activated by filling the V-Gauge. In V-Zone, attacks deal more damage, stamina regenerates faster, and skills require less time to execute, making scoring easier. V-Zone can also be used defensively to perform Super Saves, blocking shots without depleting the goalkeeper’s Spirit Gauge.

Activating V-Zone

The Aerial Clash mechanic allows players to compete for airborne balls, adding a dramatic flair reminiscent of the anime. Certain characters can also perform cooperative skills, like the Tachibana twins’ Skylab Hurricane, Tsubasa and Misaki’s passing combination, or Tsubasa and Hyuga’s Neo Drive Tiger Twin Shot.

A Myriad of Glitches

Despite its innovative gameplay, Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions suffers from numerous technical issues. Pre-match cutscenes often exhibit blurry subtitles, sometimes obscuring the entire lower half of the screen. The game also struggles with frame rate drops during these cutscenes, impacting the overall experience.

A glitch in the game

Conclusion

Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions successfully captures the spirit of the beloved manga with its faithful adaptation and unique gameplay mechanics. However, the pervasive technical glitches detract from the overall enjoyment. While it offers a refreshing take on the football genre, these issues prevent it from reaching its full potential.

Game Information

• Developer: Tamsoft
• Publisher: Bandai Namco
• Genre: Sports, Football
• Release Date: August 27, 2020
• Platforms: PS4, Switch, PC

Tsubasa and Misaki's combination play