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The lure of competition drew my eyes to Squaresoft's only racing title, Chocobo Racing. From a company that specializes in role playing games, and following the success of Nintendo 64's Mario Kart, it wasn't much of a surprise that Squaresoft would base a racing title on the Final Fantasy series. Drawing elements from nearly all of the Final Fantasy games, and with characters and graphics from the Chocobo's Dungeon series, Chocobo Racing is a huge amount of fun for one person, but an incredible ride though a surreal world when you're with a friend.
If you don't care for the gritty, realistic NASCAR and Indy Car games on the market, you're in for a treat. Chocobo Racing offers cartoonistic effects and graphics with a hint of mystic surprises along the way. Upon starting up the game your choices range from a story mode, a relay race, time trials, and the grand prix of the game.
Through the story mode, which is a series of pop up pictures very much similar to a story book you'd read in your childhood, you learn about the adventures of Chocobo, a lovable if not giant chicken with a pair of jet powered
roller blades. During the story you race each track of the game and gain the friendship of each racer (initially eight but more can be unlocked with each successful completion of the story mode.) Finally, after each completion you may create your very own racer with statistics determined by your success!
Most of the other race options are pretty much the same. You choose your racer (or racers if you are doing a relay), your racer's special ability (from a dash to wings that carry you above rough terrain), and which tracks you want to race on. The scenery is surreal and wonderful, from dark caverns and mines to woodland glades. There are haunted houses to soar through and, if you can unlock it in story mode, a city out of Final Fantasy 8.
During your races you collect crystals which you may use against the other players. Fireballs, lightning bolts, dash spells; all of these can be utilized against your opponents thus making the game both more difficult but also a lot more fun. There's no feeling like hitting your roommate with an ice spell just as he's about to cross the finish line on the last leg of the race.
Though Chocobo Racing is a console game, it has a tendency to slow down when the screen gets crowded. This can be a real bother if you're in a treacherous race because you speed up very fast as well. One moment you are in slow motion and the next you are careening over the edge of the track into a pot of magma. Another disadvantage is the special character feature. In Chocobo Racing you unlock several special racers based on other characters from the Final Fantasy series. Whereas this is one of the strong points of the game, it is also a pain in the neck. They are almost impossible to beat with amazing special abilities thus making the game unbalanced and even frustrating. Should you choose one of the original eight racers and your friend one of the unlocked special characters, you're going to get smashed even if your friend has never played before.
Overall this game is really great and quite suitable for any age. A seven year old can have just as much fun as a twenty-one year old (trust me, I've played with seven and eight year olds, they tend to whoop me pretty bad and enjoy doing so as well).
James A Walls
Final
Score
Highlights:
Really fun cartoon graphics, great racetracks, and a killer soundtrack make Chocobo Racing an experience not to be forgotten.
Lowlights:
Slow game play at times can make this game annoying or frustrating. The special characters are way too special.
Recommendation:
If you are a fan of the Final Fantasy series, a person tired of the standard racer on the market, or a parent looking to get your child a fun and entertaining game, this is the choice for you.
Age Appropriateness:
If the kid can pick up the controller, he can play Chocobo Racing. The violence is so minimal and cartoonish that it makes Saturday morning cartoons look R-rated.
Christian Sense:
3 - There is no mention of Christianity in this game but also no bashing or misuse of Christian symbolism. Just a cute game with a racing chicken and his teddy bear-like best friend.
Game Engine:
3.5 - Though a lot of fun to play, the engine could use a little more refinement. The slowing of the system is irritating and sometimes the graphics get ethereal.
Game Play:
3.5 - The game is really an enjoyment but if you are looking for any depth you aren't going to find it here. But for parties or get-togethers Chocobo Racing is a hit.
Overall:
3.5 - If you have the Playstation but enjoyed N64's Mario Kart, here is a lively alternative that will get your blood pumping and your friends laughing well into the night.
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