GiN Review - Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon

Matt Jones writes:

"When someone says RPG, the name Final Fantasy almost invariably pops into everyone's mind. The series is responsible for some of the most epic moments in gaming history, and for creating some of the most iconic characters as well. From deadly villains like Sephiroth, to the lovable Moogles, Final Fantasy features a little something for everyone. One of the most recognizable characters from the series is the Chocobo. While Chocobos make for a great part of the series, a stand-alone game may just make you "choke." (Yeah, I said it.)

Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo's Dungeon thrusts players right into the action. A short scene sets the back-story for the game. You have been transported to a strange town full of lively characters with some weird issues. Initially, the town seems a peaceful place, set apart from the rest of the world. But, as is usually the case, all is not as it seems. The town has a large clock-tower in the center of it with a mysterious bell.

Each time the bell rings, the townspeople inexplicably lose their memories. Strangely, they're happy about this predicament. This is, essentially, the main conflict of the game. It is at this point that the first serious problem with Chocobo's Dungeon becomes evident: this is a kids' game, and nothing more. In fact, the dungeons in the game consist of nothing more than peoples' memories. And just how do you get into someone's memory? Why, it just so happens that a magic baby with green hair falls out of the sky and hatches from an egg! This further reinforces the point that this is, indeed, a game for children." 2/5