Chocobo GP

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Chocobo GP
Chocobo GP.png
Developer(s)Arika
Publisher(s)Square Enix
Composer(s)Hidenori Iwasaki
Series
EngineUnreal Engine 4
Platform(s)Nintendo Switch
ReleaseMarch 10, 2022
Genre(s)Kart racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Chocobo GP is a kart racing game developed by Arika and published by Square Enix. The game is a spin-off of the Final Fantasy series in celebration of the series' 35th anniversary, and features locales and characters from across the franchise. Chocobo GP is a sequel to 1999's Chocobo Racing and was released for the Nintendo Switch on March 10, 2022.

Gameplay[]

The game is a kart racing game featuring single-player and multiplayer modes.[1][2] The player chooses a character from the Final Fantasy series of video games and directs them through a race track in efforts to finish before the other racers.[3][4] Players can perform power-slide drifts to help make tight turns and get extra speed boosts.[5] Items called "magicite" can be collected by driving a character into "Magic Eggs", and can be used to either help the player's character, or hinder other racers.[2][4] Individual characters also have specific abilities, and vehicles can be customized by the player.[6] The game features multiple modes, including a "story mode", custom races, and online races.[7] The online races include a 64 player elimination tournament mode as well.[7]

Setting[]

The game's story mode includes characters entering a racing tournament offers a winning prize of "a wish for anything their heart desires".[7] Race courses are set in locations from various Final Fantasy games, such as the Gold Saucer from Final Fantasy VII, the town of Zozo from Final Fantasy VI and the town of Alexandria from Final Fantasy IX.[8] Characters in the game include both specific party members from previous Final Fantasy games and characters from the previous Chocobo spin-off games. The roster includes Chocobos,[8] Moogles,[5] White Mages,[8] Black Mages,[5] Vivi,[1] Steiner, Cactuar, and Maduin, among others.[5] Cloud Strife and Squall Leonhart were added to the roster in Season 1 as a prize pass unlockable and purchasable character with Gil, respectively..[9][10]

Development[]

The game is a sequel to the 1999 PlayStation game Chocobo Racing.[2] A follow-up to the game was first announced in 2010 for the Nintendo 3DS, though its development was outsourced, the quality suffered, and it was quietly cancelled by 2013. In March 2021, publications noted trademarks being filed for a Chocobo GP and Chocobo Grand Prix.[5] On September 23, 2021, Chocobo GP was officially announced during a Nintendo Direct broadcast.[1] It released for the Nintendo Switch on March 10, 2022, alongside a free version of the game, titled Chocobo GP Lite.[11] [1] This free-to-play version of the game included the Story Prologue, Chocobo GP mode, three characters, local and online multiplayer, and allowed players to transfer their progress over to the full version of the game after purchase.[12] The full version features a battle pass and microtransactions.[13] The game's soundtrack was composed by Hidenori Iwasaki.[14]

Reception[]

Chocobo GP received "mixed or average" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic.[15]

Destructoid gave the game a 6.5 out of 10, writing, "...if you’re looking for a serviceable racer to play on the side that’s full of old school unlocks [Chocobo GP]'s a fine option; provided you can get past a few hurdles. Hopefully a series of patches, the eventual possible elimination of the season pass system, and a price cut will make this package way more enticing."[16] Nintendo Life and Shacknews reviewed the game more positively, praising the controls, tracks, character-specific abilities, items, roster, modes, performance, and the potential of the Chocobo GP mode, while criticizing the weak story mode and paid season pass.[17][19]

Chocobo GP's monetization model was panned by players, with some likening it to a mobile game.[20] Players expressed concerns about the length of time it would take to gain levels in-game. In response, Square Enix announced they would give players set amounts of free in-game currency, known as mythril, and promised that it had adjusted settings to make progression easier.[21] It was soon discovered by players that free mythril would expire five months after it was accrued, while any mythril paid for would remain.[22]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d Diaz, Ana (23 September 2021). "Chocobo GP puts a Final Fantasy spin on a kart racer". Polygon.com. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Chocobo Racing is about to get an unlikely sequel". Eurogamer.net. 23 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Final Fantasy Is Now A Full-On Chocobo Racing Game, Out 2022". Kotaku.com. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Chocobo GP announced for Switch". Gematsu.com. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Chocobo GP Switch Racing Game Announced for 2022". Siliconera.com. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Switch Exclusive Chocobo GP Sure Wants To Be Mario Kart, Doesn't It?". Nintendolife.com. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  7. ^ a b c "Square Enix Unveils Chocobo GP Racing game". Animenewsnetwork.com. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  8. ^ a b c "Pinch me, there's actually a new Chocobo kart racer on the way". Destructoid.com. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  9. ^ "Chocobo GP: How to Unlock Cloud from FF7". Gameranx. 2022-03-11. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  10. ^ "Chocobo GP Squall: How to Unlock the FF8 Character". GiveMeSport. 2022-03-12. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  11. ^ "Chocobo GP races to a March 10 release date on Nintendo Switch". VideoGamer.com. 2021-12-14. Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  12. ^ Life, Nintendo (2022-03-11). "Reminder: You Can Now Download A Free Lite Version Of Chocobo GP On Switch". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  13. ^ "Chocobo GP: Prize Pass, Explained". TheGamer. 2022-03-10. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  14. ^ "チョコボグランプリ Original Soundtrack". Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Chocobo GP for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Carter, Chris (March 3, 2022). "Review: Chocobo GP". Destructoid. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  17. ^ a b O'Reilly, PJ (March 3, 2022). "Chocobo GP Review (Switch)". Nintendo Life. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  18. ^ Delmage, Greg (March 8, 2022). "Chocobo GP". RPGFan. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  19. ^ a b Denzer, TJ (March 3, 2022). "Chocobo GP review: Road wark ahead". Shacknews. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  20. ^ Good, Owen S. (2022-03-11). "Final Fantasy kart racer Chocobo GP costs $50, monetizes like a mobile game". Polygon. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  21. ^ Life, Nintendo (2022-03-11). "Uh-Oh, Chocobo GP's Season Pass Is Ruffling A Few Feathers With Fans". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  22. ^ "Players Rage As $50 Chocobo Racing Game Tries To Nickel And Dime Them". Kotaku. Retrieved 2022-03-12.

External links[]

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