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Chocobo GP Review Thread

Bullet Club

Member
Here's the most awaited review thread of 2022: Chocobo GP!

Sorry Elden Ring/Horizon FW/GT7 etc.

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Platforms:
  • Nintendo Switch (Mar 10, 2022)
Developer: Square Enix



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Nintendo Life - PJ O'Reilly - 8 / 10

Chocobo GP is a delightful surprise from Square Enix, a slick and addictive effort that serves up chaotic kart racing action featuring a generous roster of Final Fantasy characters battling it out on well-designed tracks inspired by locations from across the franchise's history. Yes, the story mode may be a bit of a misfire, but with plenty of other single player content to dig into and the promise of 64-player carnage via the online Chocobo GP mode, this is one of the most polished and entertaining kart racers currently available on Switch and, with a free Lite version dropping at launch, you've got nothing to lose by checking it out for yourself before committing to a purchase.

Checkpoint Gaming - Pedro Cooray - 6 / 10

Chocobo GP could’ve been a simple kart racer that draws players in with beloved characters and tracks from the history of Final Fantasy, but instead, Square Enix boldly chose to make a sequel to an unpopular PS1 game. Bolder still was the choice to gate the promise of a more interesting game behind season passes and premium currencies. Mechanically, Chocobo GP is sound, and has enough ideas and potential to stack up to other franchise racers. However, I’m anxious to see how long this game lasts after release. There’s every chance it’ll develop a loyal playerbase large enough that Square will continue to support it, and maybe even rebalance the game to make that price of entry less steep. But as it stands, I don’t think Chocobo GP offers enough at launch to justify the effort and money required to keep playing it.

Daily Star - Tom Hutchison - 4 / 5

Chocobo has a couple of key differences but nothing that really reinvents the wheel. It’s a very solid race game but I suspect once Mario’s new Booster Pack DLC drops with more than 40 old kart tracks this may well fall into the back of the memory.

Destructoid - Chris Carter - 6.5 / 10

Slightly above average or simply inoffensive. Fans of the genre should enjoy them a bit, but a fair few will be left unfulfilled.

Gaming Nexus - Eric Hauter - 7.4 / 10

Chocobo GP is a very well-made kart racer that looks and controls very much like Mario Kart. With a funny, weird storyline and a ton of different characters, tracks, and modes, this will keep fans of the genre busy for quite a while. I would recommend checking out the free "Lite" version of the game, and if you like it, take the plunge.

God is a Geek - Adam Cook - 7.5 / 10

Sometimes you just want a bit of fun and a laugh, without needing a revolutionary experience, and Chocobo GP fits that bill nicely.

IGN Italy - Luca Rago - Italian - 8.2 / 10

Chocobo GP is a solid, immediate and accessible karting game. For lovers of the genre it will not be easy to resist the temptation to get on the track!

IGN Spain - Álex Pareja - Spanish - 7 / 10

Chocobo GP is a lot of fun and manages to stand on its own especially if you focus your attention on the online mode. However, the fact that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe exists on the same console and that it replicates so much of its formula ends up taking its toll in the long run.

Metro GameCentral - Adam Starkey - 4 / 10

A perfunctory kart racing spin-off that has a few unique charms but falls well short of its far superior competition.

NintendoWorldReport - Neal Ronaghan - Unscored

This isn't the new gold standard for the genre, but it's still a fun ride, especially with the syrupy sweet story and good deal of Final Fantasy references. The true potential is in the potential of the titular Chocobo GP mode, which is also the stand-out feature for the entire game. The fact it's accessible with the Lite mode might give it a longer tail. Some of the season pass content rubs me the wrong way, but the base game is satisfying enough that it's a good time even if you don't shell out real-world money to race as Cloud.

Press Start - James Mitchell - 5.5 / 10

Chocobo GP offers up some fantastic core racing mechanics that are otherwise held back by a lacklustre offering of content. Hampered by tedious progression systems and typical microtransaction practices, Chocobo GP barely makes it past the finish line to be the best kart racer it could be.

Shacknews - TJ Denzer - 8 / 10

Chocobo GP is a really great flavor for the kart-racing genre. Not only is it a fine collection of Final Fantasy franchise memories in one place, but it uses them nicely as well. Familiar characters, JRPG attacks and weapons, locations for racetracks, and remixed music we know and love make it a bright, fun, and familiar experience. I really liked the Magicite system for in-race strategy and character stats and abilities make them all enjoyable to play. I wish you didn’t have to unlock so much to enjoy the whole package outside of Story, but even the story is a fun romp. There have been plenty of imitators of the Mario Kart formula, but Chocobo GP feels like one of the most competent, all while bringing its own twists to the track.

Spaziogames - Stefania Sperandio - Italian - Unscored

Chocobo GP is an easy to approach experience, but it can't really live up to the Final Fantasy name.

The Games Machine - Danilo Dellafrana - Italian - 7.5 / 10

Chocobo GP is a decent alternative to Mario Kart, hampered by the presence of such an important opponent on the same console. It lacks that flash of brilliance, that uniqueness that allows it to outdo its elusive rival, and a future that already leans towards microtransactions doesn't help. Try the Lite version, it might just win you over.




 
I feel like I need to support the Japanese games on Xbox, if I want to see more of them XD
That being said, I am hoping this is like Ni Oh 2, as I really wish that game came to Xbox XD.
It's definitely built in the same engine, with some of the same assets. One of the starting areas literally has the same environment and grass from Nioh 2. Lots of similarities.

In the 2 demos I played, Nioh 2 was significantly better though. But I'm hopeful the game gets more fun in context of the full game.
 

jshackles

Gentlemen, we can rebuild it. We have the capability to make the world's first enhanced store. Steam will be that store. Better than it was before.
Got my physical copy pre-ordered! 💪
 

nikos

Member
Been looking forward to this since it was announced. Decided to try the Lite version before buying. Conflicted on whether I should buy it now or wait.

The game is fun to play. It looks good and runs well in handheld mode. No issues in that department. GP mode makes for a good multiplayer model. like that there are a ton of unlockables, even if some are behind a pass. That gives me a reason to keep playing. At first, the cars felt a bit stiff but I got used to it after a couple of races. Went back to MK8 and the handling of those karts felt a bit sluggish in comparison. The karts in this game feel lighter/more responsive.

The problem is Nintendo had to announce the MK8 booster pack, and that's only a week away. That was kind of a shit move considering that game hasn't seen anything in years and this is a Switch exclusive. That said, MK8 is still going to be the same game and the allure of eight new tracks may quickly wear off. A pro for this game is it's completely fresh, but at the same time there are only nine tracks + variations.
 
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Heimdall_Xtreme

Jim Ryan Fanclub's #1 Member

BennyBlanco

aka IMurRIVAL69
Why would you make such a shitty mario kart clone and release it exclusively on the only platform that actually has mario kart
 

The_hunter

Member
Just tried the game, I think it's pretty good. Graphics are great, and the handling of the cars is not bad, definitely passable enough that the game is enjoyable alongside a game like MK8.
 

rofif

Can’t Git Gud
Who the fuck OK'd that release date?
oh yes because elden ring players would get chocobo gp otherwise.
Even if so - what is up with this notion that 2 GAMES in one month is too bad? Dude, 2011 would've ruined you. 2022 is nothing
 
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