With the release of Final Fantasy 16 on the horizon, fans of the games have been theorizing about the direction its story will take. Returning to the medieval setting that was present in Final Fantasy of old grants many opportunities, and could further revolutionize the JRPG genre. Changes have been made to the combat, presentation, storytelling, and character development as time has gone on, but there have been recurring themes and quirks like Moogles, Cid, and airships that have remained throughout.
From the Invincible in Final Fantasy 3, to the transforming Regalia that takes Noctis and friends to the skies in Final Fantasy 15, airships have been heavily featured in all of Final Fantasy. The next in the series is a hotly-anticipated mainline entry, with fans expectations soaring following the success of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, but the change in tone from years past and decision to return to high fantasy should ditch the airships, bringing a more grounded story to the veteran JRPG franchise.
Final Fantasy 16's Darker Tone
Airships have been a series mainstay since the NES days, often appearing in the story's closing stages to assist with cleaning up side quests and traversing the landscape at speed. Removing them would surely upset many hardcore fans, but with the announcement trailer showing a darker, more serious tone, the tense tale of political intrigue and epic fantasy moments would be dampened somewhat by the inclusion of a bulky and over-the-top airship. Valisthea, the world that Final Fantasy 16 exists within, is made up of warring nations, so maintaining the tension should be of higher importance than making the open world easy to breeze over.
It's clear that Final Fantasy 16 will be inspired by Middle Ages history, with European broadswords replacing oversized blades and muddy, realistic environments being chosen above eccentric architecture. Fast travel will likely be included, but should players wish to traverse the land in real time, then transportation should also be in keeping with the historical feel. Chocobos have been confirmed, ensuring that it will aim to keep some Final Fantasy traditions alive, but airships would surely be a bridge too far, as it would be a futuristic element that would likely feel out of place.
Airships Come at the Cost of Immersion
Though they often appear late in the game, airships make moving around the map quicker and easier. While this may seem like a positive, it makes the open world feel far less consequential when it can be seen from the clouds. Creating a memorable experience is achieved by bringing the player to a setting that feels immersive, and nothing breaks immersion like seeing the creative level design and gorgeous art style from the sky above. It feels like a cheat code, as the often hostile open world that players spend the whole game trying to overcome can be skipped entirely when the game says it's okay to do so.
Final Fantasy 7's Midgar, for example, works so beautifully because it feels cramped and restrictive. The slums feel never-ending, and Shinra's hold on the city is more important than presenting a sprawling map that can be explored with ease. Final Fantasy 15 struggled with this, presenting a gorgeous map that didn't have much in the way of identity. As such, soaring over it in the Regalia only really felt like a means to an end, not a reward for conquering the land below.
In previous entries, airships were a welcome addition to any Final Fantasy title, as they often provided a way to avoid endless grinding or unwanted random encounters. In 2022, they are only really included because they've been a series staple for so long, and Final Fantasy 15 can be finished without even realizing the Regalia has the ability to take flight. As all promotional material has implied that the next mainline game will be a more somber affair, the inclusion of an airship would only serve to break tension, and ruin the game's warring open world of Valisthea.
Final Fantasy 16 is in development.