Operation Backlog Completion 2026
Jul 232025
 

Well, none of my Pokémon Presents predictions came true except for the obvious – a new look at Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

They did announce a new spin-off, a puzzle game for Switch and mobile that’s free-to-start on mobile and $9.99 on Switch, both with additional DLC packs for more puzzles.

It looks cute, but I don’t think I’ll get it.

So let’s focus on the real highlight of the presentation, Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Two new trailers have come out of the presentation. They introduce Team MZ (the group you’ll be working with), show how Lumiose City is different at day or night, and reveal the Rust Syndicate, which seems to be this game’s villain team. They also show off the customization options, which look better than ever.

And remember how I was excited to see Looker’s office after the previous Pokémon Presents? I don’t know if he’ll be back, but Emma is returning as a detective who gives you quests, so that’s great! Mable from Team Flare is back, as well.

The story involves Pokémon Mega Evolving on their own and going rogue, so that could be interesting.

I still don’t have as much excitement for this one as I did when it was first announced. I loved the exploration in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and the city-based focus of Z-A just isn’t quite grabbing me in the same way. I wish it had stuck with turn-based combat, too.

On the other hand, the story seems interesting, and it’s nice to see some returning characters. Arceus was a pleasant surprise for me, so maybe this one will be too.

What do you think about the newest trailers for Pokémon Legends: Z-A?

Jul 212025
 

Has any game been delayed more than Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road?

The upcoming Inazuma Eleven game was first announced back in 2016 as Inazuma Eleven Ares and was set to be released in 2018. It got delayed to 2019, after which time it was renamed Inazuma Eleven: Great Road of Heroes and delayed to 2020. In 2020, it was delayed to 2021, and then in 2021 it was delayed to 2023.

By the time it was shown again, it was Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, and then in 2023 it was delayed to 2024. In 2024, it was announced for June 2025, but was then delayed to a final release date of August 21, in a live stream that promised this was the release date “for sure.”

But now Level-5 has announced that Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road has been delayed one last time, to November 14 (or November 13, depending on where you live).

Another delay this late feels concerning, but it seems it’s mostly because of the voice recording and localization time due to the amount of content in the game. Fantasy Life i turned out well despite its concerning number of delays, so hopefully the same will be true of Inazuma Eleven.

…But I have to admit, this is making me a little nervous for Professor Layton and the New World of Steam.

Do you think this is truly the final delay for Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road?

Jul 182025
 

You might remember that back in 2023, Voltage announced three new Nintendo Switch otome games.

Their code names were Project Code Neon Mafia, Project Code Kaleido Tower, and Project Code Vampire Hunter.

The initial schedule got switched around a bit, and the first to come out was actually Project Code Vampire Hunter, under the title Red Bell’s Lament.

Despite Red Bell’s Lament being the one that interested me the most, I ended up not buying it because of the concerns over AI-generated art used for the backgrounds.

There still hasn’t been any clear answer on that either way, which is frustrating.

But now it’s time for the next of the three to be official released, as Voltage (or AmuLit, the brand used for their console games) has announced that Project Code Neon Mafia will be released in Winter 2025 as Neon Clash -Echoes of the Lost-.

The new trailer makes it look pretty intriguing, with a power to give someone else strength by erasing your own existence.

(A different studio is handling the background art, so hopefully this one will be free of AI controversies.)

Of course, I still haven’t played Even if Tempest yet, not to mention all the other otome games still in my backlog. I’m sure I’ll play them all… eventually.

Are you interested in Neon Clash -Echoes of the Lost-?