We Tried Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighter — Let's Avenge Japan at the World Cup!

If you, too, haven't gotten over Japan's recent elimination from the World Cup, undeservedly surpassed by a cynical Brazil then punished by Norway, don't despair! Soon you'll be able to restore the Japanese eleven to glory, albeit in a youth world soccer championship, in Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighter.

The Plot of Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighter

After recounting Tsubasa's youthful adventures (more famously known as Olivier “Holly” Hutton in our parts) in the previous chapter, Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighter tells another very famous narrative arc of the manga/anime, known as the “World Youth Arc”. We find Tsubasa in Brazil, playing for Sao Paolo FC, a first-division Brazilian team coached by his mentor Roberto. The star of the Japanese team is not the only one who has decided to hone his skills abroad, but the Asian Youth Championship qualifiers are approaching, and it's time for all Japanese talents to return home and team up. 

Among the various aces wearing the Japanese jersey is also the player's alter ego, customizable in appearance, characteristics, and role. This interesting ploy, already used in the second story mode of the previous chapter, allows Tamsoft to introduce a variable into a plot probably already known to the public: the story of Japan's youth world championship is one that millions of people have read/watched in recent years, but with new subplots involving the newcomer, whom Tsubasa met during his time in Brazil. And not only that: through dialogue choices, we can also define our character's personality (and career), guiding them towards sharp or more compliant responses depending on our intentions. 

On the Field with Tsubasa: Arcade Soccer, RPG, and a Touch of Fighting Game

During our test, which took place through a beta version for PC played for several hours, we were able to explore various modes of Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighter. After a stop in the training section, necessary to refresh muscle memory, we were able to move to the field and try some offline matches against the CPU (with 15 of the 22 selectable national teams) and the very first chapters of the “New Stars” Story Mode. The mode through which the outcome of matches is determined is an evolution of the original, namely a mix of arcade soccer game and an RPG, with a dash of fighting game.  

Although the actions to be performed are classic soccer ones (passing, tackling, shooting, etc.), their execution often transcends simulation. In addition to the basic versions of the fundamentals, which are largely ineffective, one can resort to special actions, which, if accumulated in a chain, allow for a special move, different for each player (and based on their role): if for the attacker this is obviously a super shot difficult to save, for a midfielder it can be a pass with a trajectory that defies the laws of physics. 

Like in a chess game, however, or like in a fighting game, each move has its specific counter-move: more than a soccer match, what is staged is a series of 1vs1 clashes in which one tries to complete one's chain of moves or interrupt the opponent's. Even shooting doesn't require too much attention to direction or effect: the important thing is to be able to charge the bar as much as possible and choose an angle that puts the goalkeeper in difficulty, demolishing his resistance. But it's Tsubasa, not the World Cup game, and that's perfectly fine, also because graphically, despite its simplicity, it replicates the anime effect very well, amplified by contextual cut-scenes that interrupt the game depending on the match's progress (in Story Mode). 

The World Cup Revenge: 22 National Teams, 100+ Characters, and Release Date

When Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighter arrives on PC & consoles (PS5, XBOX Series, and Switch) on August 28, the World Cup will be over, but the desire for soccer never ends. With 22 national teams, over 100 playable characters, and more than 150 new special moves, will Captain Tsubasa 2: World Fighter be able to quench it?