Final Fantasy VII G-Bike
A mobile racing game based on Final Fantasy VII's motorcycle mini-game.
Final Fantasy VII G-Bike was a free-to-play racing game for Android and iOS platforms, available between October 2014 and December 2015. Based on Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII, it featured protagonist Cloud Strife riding a motorcycle and battling enemies with melee weapons and magic. The title was conceived as part of a planned series of mobile games remaking Final Fantasy VII mini-games, but only G-Bike was released.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- CyberConnect2
- Publisher
- Square Enix
- Director
- Hiroshi Matsuyama
- Producer
- Ichiro Hazama; Shinji Hashimoto
- Series
- Final Fantasy
- Platforms
- iOS, Android
- Released
- October 30, 2014
- Genre
- Racing, hack and slash
Facts from the source article.
Development and release
The idea for a Final Fantasy VII mobile game came from Square Enix producer Ichiro Hazama, who suggested partnering with a company known for action games. Square Enix chose CyberConnect2 because its staff had a close relationship with character designer Tetsuya Nomura. Hiroshi Matsuyama of CyberConnect2 served as director, with oversight by Square Enix executive producer Yoshinori Kitase. Nomura acted as creative director and created a new design for Cloud Strife. Initial plans called for G-Bike to be the first in a series of mobile games based on Final Fantasy VII mini-games; G-Bike was selected due to its popularity. The team expanded the original mini-game with weapon modifications and new combat forms but did not develop an elaborate story to avoid adding more playable characters. The 2005 film Final Fantasy VII Advent Children also inspired development, particularly its vehicle Fenrir. CyberConnect2 received production assets from Advent Children and Crisis Core to match Square Enix's aesthetic. Matsuyama described early submission processes with Square Enix's game screening department as bumpy. G-Bike was announced in June 2014; Hazama clarified it was not a remake of Final Fantasy VII. Matsuyama asked Square Enix producer Shinji Hashimoto about a Final Fantasy VII remake, but Hashimoto was not interested, though Matsuyama suggested that if G-Bike became a hit, a remake might be possible.
Reception
Final Fantasy VII G-Bike received mixed reviews from critics. Japanese site AppGet praised it as a quality remaking of the original mini-game with its original aesthetic. Ishaan Sahdev of Siliconera called the graphics gorgeous. Toshi Nakamura of Kotaku was optimistic about the announcement and thought the trailer looked appealing, believing it could lead to other remakes. Kyle Hilliard of Game Informer concluded fans would not be upset that G-Bike was announced instead of a Final Fantasy VII remake. Some critics were displeased; Jason Schreier of Kotaku noted general surprise at the announcement of a new mini-game. Mike Wehner of Engadget said people would be disappointed that Square Enix was not ready with the Final Fantasy VII Remake. Nikola Suprak of Hardcore Gamer called the developers trolls for working on a mini-game while the main remake was unfinished. Hidetsugu Naya of AppGet criticized frequent load times and the many hours needed to unlock supporting characters. Kat Bailey of USGamer remarked that because the game was not localized into English, it would remain obscure.
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