There are certain things that fans of the Final Fantasy franchise have come to expect with each new entry. A blend of science-fiction and fantasy, character classes that combine melee combat with the use of magic and summon spells, and a character showing up named Cid are just some of the aspects that have found their way into almost every main numbered Final Fantasy. While the upcoming release of Final Fantasy 16 has confirmed that some, if not all of these elements will be present, there's another series staple that should see its return: Final Fantasy 16 needs to bring back the airship.
In the disparate worlds of each Final Fantasy game, the airship (or some variation of it) represents the ultimate form of travel for its heroes. First appearing in the original Final Fantasy on NES, each of the primary entries in the series has featured at least one airship, if not multiples, up through 2006's Final Fantasy 12. The minds behind Final Fantasy 16 have been open about their dual desire to evolve the franchise while returning it to its roots. Given the game is not fully open world, but features large zones for the hero to explore, there's a glimmer of hope that the airship will make its first appearance in 17 years.
The History of the Airship in Final Fantasy
While the first appearance of Cid in a Final Fantasy game was 1988's Final Fantasy 2, the origins of the airship can be traced back to the series' beginnings. The basic form of the airship appears as a wooden boat with mechanical gears and propellors, but the series' airships eventually took on more fantastic designs based on Yoshitaka Amano's concept art and increasingly advanced hardware. By the time Final Fantasy 4 was released in 1991, the airship had three different modes (including one capable of space travel).
Final Fantasy 6 took the series' airships and transformed them into something with more functionality than just traversing the world map. Beginning with Setzer's ship The Blackjack (and later, in the World of Ruin, the Falcon), the airship becomes a mobile base for the party - a trend continued in later games. Acting as a social hub, mobile inn, and mini-shop for purchasing items and modifying character loadouts, the airship became the critical endgame base of operations for the heroes and a space of respite.
How Final Fantasy 16 Could Utilize the Airship
Final Fantasy 16 producer Naoki Yoshida and director Hiroshi Takai have been open about the game's return to a non-open world setting, instead opting for large, explorable zones. The return to separate areas could possibly communicate a need for the player to have a hub they can initiate travel from. Given that the airship has traditionally served as a hub for the player and their party in previous games, this seems like a great reason for Final Fantasy 16 to bring back the legendary flying machines.
Another possibility for how Final Fantasy 16 could bring back airships alludes to what fans have been told about the game's party structure. With protagonist Clive largely being on a solo revenge mission with his canine companion Torgal, having just one or two party members come and go at various intervals, having an airship handy as the means to swap party members when traveling between zones would be a boon. With a willingness to take risks while simultaneously returning the series to its fantasy roots, there's never been a better time for the airship to make a comeback. Final Fantasy 16 recently went gold three months ahead of launch, so there won't be a long wait to find out.
Final Fantasy 16 releases on June 22 for PS5.
