First thing, I'd like to note that this was the first Squeenix game I've beaten (not played, just beaten) and that the credits were rediculously long. And when they were over, I noticed that I actually should have been doing something (not exactly sure what it was, but it was keeping score of something. Current hypothesis is that it was like Super Smash Bros. and I should have been trying to hit the credits.).
Anywho. To the real review.
The plot of the game is that you are a chocobo and an evil book (yes, an evil book) is trying to destroy the world by swallowing up the four crystals (FFIII-based plot for those of us who have played that on the DS as well) and sucking the power from them. You must then defeat the evil Bebuzzbu (I think that's it...) in what are referred to as "Pop-Up Duels".
The gameplay itself was rather childish, as was the cheesey plotline, but the characters had very adult pasts, which confused me as to exactly which audience this game was meant for. Some of the mini-games were also a little challenging, even for me, and I found myself actually unable to finish some chapters of the game just because it was a pain in the a** to win the mini-games (I think I only completed about half the storybooks entirely in the entire game).
There was also a few moments where I forgot I was actually playing a Final Fantasy game, mainly when I was in the middle of a Pop-Up Duel. The duels themselves are rather fast-paced, simple, and I found myself actually attempting to strategize. But the game is simple and it almost reminded me of Yu-Gi-Oh. However, it is impossible to collect all of the cards unless you are uber godly at the mini-games (*was only able to get the high scores of less than half of the mini-games*). And I also felt that the game itself didn't really need the Pop-Up duels. You only duel a total of 10 times (bosses only count). But the nice thing is, most of the monsters were recognizable from previous games (Cait Sith!).
And yet...
I was strangely addicted to this game.
It takes roughly twenty or so hours to complete, so if you have about 30-35$ (*got mine used for 25$*) and enjoy mini-games out the a**, then I guess I'd recommend this game. I would ask if you had a Game Cube and recommend Mario Party first, but I guess I'd recommend Chocobo Tales to someone eventually.
3/5 Stars
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Azure_Uke_Water_Spirit Community Member 
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