Chocobo GP is out now on the Nintendo Switch, and if you're still on the fence about it, there's no need to worry because Square Enix is offering players a chance to play the game before they buy the whole thing.
In fact, the free 'Chocobo GP Lite' offering isn't a bad offering - it actually gives players access to the Story Prologue in single-player and also allows you to participate in the "Chocobo GP" mode, which is 64 tournament mode where you participate in races made up of 8 players.
There are three characters to choose from in GP's Lite version - Chocobo, Shirma and Ben. And if you have a friend with a full copy of the game, you can access the regular local and online multiplayer modes.
One other handy thing is that save data (items and currency) will carry over to the full version of the game, if you do choose to upgrade. Will you be trying out this Lite version of Chocobo GP? Have you already upgraded? Tell us down in the comments.
[source nintendo.com]
Comments 59
https://twitter.com/TangoBun/status/1501898430284656643?s=20&t=uUYzRrJR9Vx8YzCUMlLYWQ
https://twitter.com/Terotrous/status/1501825712767922177?s=20&t=uUYzRrJR9Vx8YzCUMlLYWQ
Stay away from this game, everyone. It's a nearly full-priced title with F2P nonsense like Battle Passes and currency. What's more, is that the currency you get for free expires after a certain period of time, forcing you to use it within a certain amount of time or it disappears forever--literally stealing time from you. Something no other game on the market does. I'm fine with in-game purchases if a game is free--but Mario Kart Tour this isn't.
I know NL gave it a positive review, but now that the game is out and these awful mechanics have been uncovered, I don't think you should bother with this. Get the MK8DX DLC instead--it's a whole game's worth of tracks for half the price of this atrocity.
@JR150 Yeah I saw that too. They certainly made me have a full 180 on this game on wanting to buy it for sure to not wanting to have anything to do with it.
It's such an absolute shame too because I was really excited for this one too, but then they just had to flub it up like this. I'm sad.
I tried it but I just wished I was playing crash team racing or Mario kart 8. The racers lack weight, to be fair I only had access to 3 racers.
@Degenerate_Mii I believe Cloud is battle pass exclusive or something.
@Yosher
If it was simply a F2P game, then I'd be perfectly fine with this. But the fact that they have the gall to charge 50 dollars up front and then dare to ask for more money afterwards is borderline criminal when other products on the Switch (Mario Kart, CTR) offer a better experience.
@Degenerate_Mii
If you want to spend money on this game, go ahead. I'm simply informing everyone of the awful nature that this game holds in store. A nearly-full priced game with paid currency and free currency that EXPIRES is inexcusable by any standards.
The fact this game is releasing a week before the MK8 DLC is very unfortunate for Square
@JR150
The second tweet has a follow-up that clarified that in-game currency you pay for will never expire.
But this is still scummy, it puts pressure on "free" players (of a full-price retail game) to play frequently and not let their earnings through-play expire.
@Degenerate_Mii
You have to purchase a prize pass to unlock Cloud, and collect gil (non-premium currency) to unlock Squall.
Even then, for having purchased the prize pass, you still need to reach level 60 through gameplay and only have until May 16th to do so.
Does Chocobo GP have same case as Pokemon Rumble 3DS ?
(Free to play for digital version with micro transactions, Have physical release with all contents in cartridge)
The Lite version only lets me play race #1 of the story, no further. Am I missing something?
(edit: I expected more from a game described as free-to-play. However, this is still better than no demo. Online racing is free, which works well, but don't expect to earn much. It would take an insane amount of time racing to earn things.)
@RupeeClock
Ah, I looked and have updated my post accordingly.
Even still, it's a very slippery slope. Who's to say that someone else won't adopt this idea in the future now? And as you said, people who don't spend extra are now pressured even greater...on a FIFTY DOLLAR GAME.
@Anti-Matter Which Pokemon Rumble 3DS? There were two. One that was a full priced game that was actually good, and the other being a scammy free to play game.
Also, Chocobo GP isn't free to play. It's a full priced game that has in game micro-transactions and Battle Passes. The cartridge version (if there is one) will be the same, where you have to pay full price for the game itself, then buy micro-transactions.
I tried this out since Play Asia still hasn't shipped my physical copy. It's definitely not on the same level as Mario Kart 8 or Crash Team Racing: Nitro-Fueled, but I've had fun with it. The battle pass monetization is definitely irritating, but I'm honestly pretty happy with the base roster since I'm not as into the newer entries in the series (The ones I imagine will be represented through the battle pass, VIII is where the series went downhill in my opinion and it's spotty past that point), so it's not a deal-breaker for me personally. Terra's part of the base game, so that works for me. I do hope they plan on adding new tracks over time as opposed to just having the battle passes be all it gets in terms of new content. The base tracks are fine, but I could see them getting old over time.
@JR150 I think i will get disney speedstorm for my free racing fix instead of chocobo gp lite then
@anoyonmus
At the very least, it's F2P. You'd think they'd have partnered up and just make a Kingdom Hearts racer instead...
@JR150 hmm ig yeah.
But gameloft high speed racing games well IMO and from my experience are pretty good. I enjoyed Asphalt 9 Legends on my Switch (i got to redownload it again) and I played a LOT of Asphalt 8 Airborne on my aging 2012 ish iPad mini
@VoidofLight I think he means Pokémon Rumble World, that one is F2P digitally, but there's also a physical version of it, which if I remember correctly, has all the content in the cartridge and no microtransactions.
Then there are also games like Super Kirby Clash, which after enough microtransactions it discourages you from making any more. In this case, it happens if the Gem Apple Tree reaches its maximum level (by buying Gem Apples or by buying the top tier pack). Doing this feels like unlocking the full game, you can do this progressively or at once.
If anyone wants to do this for Super Kirby Clash, I recommend waiting until New Year (there's usually a sale around this time) and ideally when one is about to start the game.
Tried it but didn't like the feel of it at all. Thought I read here the Lite version had more than expected but one story mode tutorial level was less than a normal demo offers.
This will probably bomb and become full F2P within a year like Knockout City. Still doubt I'd play it more even then though.
Thanks, Liam, I’ll get it DL’d
@JR150 ...Reminds me of that Crash racing game...full-priced game...in-game purchases everywhere.
Bought this game. Bought the season pass. Played it for about 3-4 hours. It SUCKS. $70 for the game and pass to play as Cloud. What a waste.
Loaded the free version up with the intention of upgrading if any good. Did anyone else just find the whole game pass and currency screen like something pulled straight out of a mobile game? I might just be getting old but found it all a little confusing lol
@PapaTauren
You're not the only one. It literally feels like any generic mobile title with F2P screens everywhere except you have to pay 50 dollars just to get in. Fortnite has more respect for itself and its players than this.
Downloaded this, it felt like a poor man's Mario Kart through and through. In fact it felt more like a generic mobile game than Beach Buggy Racing, a game that started out as a generic mobile game.
@PapaTauren That was certainly my first thought!
Downloaded the free version. I was positive for this game despite the microtransactions but when I fully comprehended the DLC methodism I was turned off. It's confusing as to what you exactly get permanently in the £40 version.
I really wanted to like this game—bought the full version and the Deluxe Pass.
And then, I played it.
It's amazing that, in 2022, a AAA developer can create such a poor racing game—uninspired tracks; terrible play mechanics; a story that sucks the fun out of the game.
I wasted my money.
@LEGEND_MARIOID you get the amazing ability to be able to spend even more money and buy the battlepass lol
Definitely glad I didn't pre order this. The Lite version is enough to show me that this game just isn't worth it. It looks like a mobile game with its multiple currencies but worse than that, th online has so many disconnects that it just isn't worth the time and effort.
A shame because I like the charm of the game but this should tank hard. I don't see Square fixing anything with it though as it probably won't be worth the time or effort.
MK8 DLC and Disney Speedstorm it is then
Tried the demo and it confirmed to me to stick with Team Sonic Racing and of course, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Say what you will about about TSR, but the quality of the mechanics, customizations and track designs feel like a premium game, all with no microtransactions.
Agree with many comments here, the game is just terrible in the way it manage itself.
It's just a money squeezing intentionally confusing unfair F2P game that you need to pay full price in order to even start dealing with all those not fun and expensive issues.
They honestly had a great chance here, ask a full price, but then make the 'F2P' mechanics fair and manageable, but nope, I guess I'm the fool for expecting at least that much...
Really loved the idea of having back Chocobo and his friends racing after years and the graphics are adorable, but I think this is one of the games I deleted the fastest from my switch.
Square doesn't know what they're doing since FF XIV is such a huge hit, having players spend tons of money. They have a power trip to their head if they think a game like this can stay standing more than 4-5+ seasons
And if they go free to play the people who paid will be pissed and no cool gifts to them will fix it (even Tifa or any hot babe in a bikini), Square is just screwed.
I cancelled my preorder when they announced the battle pass nonsense and Nintendo announced MK8 Deluxe DLC but after trying out the free version yesterday, not buying the full version was definitely the right move. The full game is basically a FTP game with all the problems FTP games have.
I feel bad for the folks who splurged cash on the game + pass, but it just goes to show, don't buy Day One.
But I am honestly not surprised. The trailer looked bland already.
I only played a bit of the demo and it didn’t do much for me either tbh
@JR150 ah yuck... had a feeling about this, but to see it like the brrr... the future of video games.....
Stick with this version don't make the same mistake I did. This game is littered with Mobile like Microtransactions everywhere.
@Joeynator3000 You have to love the way Activision sneaked them in AFTER the game was reviewed.
After i play Chocobo GP Lite for 2 hours., I immediately buy.....mario kart 8.
This game sucks, thank god they give us Lite Version so we can dodge this abomination.
Oh cool, might actually give this a go then...
I'm not on the fence, I already know without a doubt that I have no desire to support this business model. I don't give a damn how the game plays. I will not support this business model. At all. Ever.
I was so excited for this game because Chocobo Racing on the ps1 was my first ever racing game, and one of the games I am most nostalgic about. Although the visuals are great, the game itself feels messy, almost like they poured everything mechanic they could find in a pot and then just dumped it onto a plate. It feels like a poorly done mario kart.
There's also so much I personally don't like like the remixed intro song which just sounds weird, the cringey song on the main menu, voice acting. But as soon as I saw battle pass and the microtransactions I knew I wouldn't buy this. The game is already £40-50 and they want more on top of that? Hell no. At least with Pokemon Unite the base game is free.
I'd already made up my mind to skip this one as a result of the microtransactions and pay-walled content but I decided to give the demo a whirl just to make sure I'm not missing out on anything...
All in all I think the reviews are being way too generous with this... it looks rushed, incomplete and with a £40 entry point plus microtransactions it really does offer poor value for money.
F Zero X and Mario Kart DLC are much better options on the Switch table this month.
I played an hour. The controls in this feel terrible and drifting sucks. Also it got repetitive after an hour with barely any tracks.
@Dremp I forgot how cringe the main menu song was. I immediately looked for a way to turn it off, but there wasn't any. There's no way I'm playing this locally with people if that song plays.
@JR150 at 10X the quality to boot.
NL obviously has a thing with Square Enix.
@JR150 And to think that I thought Square Enix was being good for once... hate this company.
Downloaded the lite version to give it a try and came away disliking it, and I'm a huge Final Fantasy fan. Mobile quality menus, poor quality music, the feel of racing is unpolished at best, and there seems to be a major lack of content. This game needs more development and better choices from the director.
Was also looking forward to this... played it for a few hours, terrible game. Controls are awkward, weapons confusing, drifting is not intuitive, courses are mostly bland. What a disappointment, thank god they let us try before buying. And that's ignoring the whole micro-transactions debacle.
I deleted it after third failed attempt pass the drift tutorial. Ridiculous. And this main menu music !…
Do yourself a favor and stay away from this game.
It was on my Day 1 buy list until I heard about the battle passes. I cancelled pre-order and decided to wait.
The game has the look and feel of a mobile game and the fact that they ask you for more money or continuous play to level up is just not acceptable for me.
The drift and character handling mechanics are mediocre at best and it’s just not worth the price. Get MK8DX instead and buy the new tracks.
“And if you have a friend with a full copy of the game, you can access the regular local and online multiplayer modes.“
Theres something wrong though. Last night, my buddy who owns the game, invited me to play online with him. I downloaded the lite version. I wasn’t able to join him. That mode is restricted.
@Friscobay I nearly quit at the tutorial too. No tutorial should ever completely restart the tutorial when you make the smallest of mistakes. Especially when the tutorial expects you to do things that it doesn't actually say (like continuing to hold A even after you boost at the start, and letting go of the left joystick after starting drifting). No hyperbole, this is the worst tutorial I've ever encountered.
@Dramlin yep. And this freaking music was driving me crazy too
Lol. Just gonna stick with MK8D
WOW. .. after these comments (and after 35 years of Nintendo gaming / Final Fantasy loving) I am going to bite the bullet and delete the game after downloading it and NOT even trying it. I will defer to the general anger about Square's policies here and just rid myself of this off my Switch. Has Square completely lost its collective mind?
I've read the comments but I'm still confused. In Crash Team Racing, microtransactions are hidden in a menu and are optional and you can unlock characters and items just by playing. In Asphalt 9, yes, the game is presented as a mobile game with a ton of grinding and menus to avoid the microtransactions. Even after reading all this I don't know what Chocobo GP (full game) is in that regard.
Yes, I could download the free version and try to find out but I need to free 6GB up first.
@Banjo- you're honestly much better off playing Chocobo Racing on the PS1 instead of Chocobo GP.
@Dremp You just gave me an idea.
Tbh when I first heard of this game I was getting excited. What confused me was the whole lite and upgrade into the full version situation. So I downloaded the lite but when I was looking at how everything functioned I just sat there and was like "Why isn't this just a free to download game? " Just from the demo (if you can even call it that) it felt like a free to play (download) game. Nothing more. MK8D, TSR and CTR feel like premium games to me. Chocobo feels like Asphalt 9 to me. Tbh lesser than that. For the full version the price should be put down some. From the comments $50 isn't worth it. You can tell a price is "by the brand" when you see it.
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