GameSpot editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Mediocre
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 12/09/2004
- Released on: 11/17/2004
- Originally published on GameSpot: Choro Q (PlayStation 2) Review
Though ChoroQ may seem like an arbitrarily peculiar Japanese racing game to American eyes, in Japan this series has served as a digital extension of the superdeformed ChoroQ toy cars, and both the toy cars and the racing series have enjoyed great popularity in that country for many years. However, if you don't already have an established love for Takara's customizable line of toy cars, you'll find that ChoroQ has little in the way of redeeming qualities.
Cute little cars aren't enough to justify this game's existence.
Outside of the license, ChoroQ's biggest selling point is that it combines racing with RPG elements. You play as a young ChoroQ (not the driver, mind you, but the actual car) who is entering the world of racing. There is a story of sorts, with the eventuality of you becoming the great people's champion apparent from the very start. To climb the ladder you'll need to run a series of races, join a racing team, and perform other driving-related tasks. Winning races can earn you different "bodies" for your ChoroQ (though these are largely aesthetic improvements), as well as cash that can go toward purchasing performance-oriented upgrades.
The upgrade system is the most fully realized aspect of ChoroQ, allowing for a high level of customization. You can purchase everything from a new chassis to an onboard computer, and most of the parts you purchase will have an effect on your performance. Most performance upgrades will help you on the track under any conditions, though there are certain parts that are conditional. There are some tires, for example, that will provide a great performance edge on paved courses, but not so much on dirt tracks. There are also many upgrades that are just bells and whistles--or, more accurately, horns and radios. This feature mirrors the customization that is inherent to the actual ChoroQ toy cars, but in the wake of games like Need for Speed Underground, the level of customization offered here isn't so unique, and it's not enough to compensate for the game's other shortcomings.
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Choro Q (PlayStation 2):
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