8 Coolest Airships in JRPGs

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As someone who’s spent countless hours traversing the vast landscapes of JRPGs, I must say that each airship on this list holds a special place in my heart (and memory cards). However, if we’re talking about the one that left an indelible mark on my gaming journey, it has to be the Epoch from Chrono Trigger.

90’s JRPGs had a common aspect where exploration played a significant role. Initially, we traversed the game world on foot. However, as the story progressed, our characters often obtained a vessel for traveling across seas, enabling us to discover new lands.

By the game’s conclusion, we could acquire some means of flight – this could take the form of a conveyance, a mystical being, or perhaps even a metropolis functioning as an airborne vessel.

Any avid JRPG player is well aware: acquiring an airship signals a new chapter of adventure, where we delve into every hidden corner of the game world, seeking out mysteries, prized items, and even that formidable hidden boss, capable of defeating us with a single blow.

Among numerous games boasting airships, certain ones grab attention due to their significance within the plot or by offering something beyond mere transportation. Today, let’s explore the most captivating airships found in Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs).

8. Grandship

Bravely Default

Bravely Default” is like a heartfelt tribute to the classic Final Fantasy series. If you’re among those who feel the franchise has strayed from its roots, you might want to try out “Bravely Default“. This game, a turn-based JRPG, offers a job system, terminology for magic that feels familiar, and exploration of the overworld. And, since there’s an overworld, you can expect an airship as well.

At one stage, you step aboard the Grandship – an extraordinary craft that serves as a hotel, shopping center, bar, inn, and more all in one. Unfortunately, due to a malfunctioning engine, it remains stationary at first. However, after some repairs, the engine is brought back to life, enabling the ship to soar, thus giving players the liberty to traverse the world of Bravely Default.

Remarkably, the Grandship accompanies the player all through the game, although it starts showing signs of deterioration following a particular plot development (no spoilers given). Towards the closing stages of the game, the ship becomes quite run-down, yet it persists by our side until the very end.

7. Lunar Whale

Final Fantasy IV

This spacecraft resembles a whale and is designed as an airship. It’s your means of transport to the moon in this game. What could be more exciting? In “Final Fantasy IV,” you embark on an adventure aboard the Red Wings, serving as its captain, Cecil, before acquiring the Enterprise and Falcon, culminating with the Lunar Whale – making it a game centered around airships.

Contrary to its name, the Lunar Whale isn’t an actual creature, but rather a sophisticated airship that was bestowed upon the party by an elder from Mysidia. This magical airship is used to travel to the Red Moon. It may seem absurd in normal circumstances, but within the context of a JRPG, it fits perfectly well.

In the realm of Final Fantasy, I found myself deeply enamored with the legendary Lunar Whale, a character that left an indelible mark in Final Fantasy IV and even graced our screens during the Endwalker expansion in Final Fantasy XIV, subtly echoing its FFIV roots. However, this majestic steed comes at a hefty price, making it one of the costliest premium mounts in FFXIV. Alas, for those of us who can’t afford it, like myself, we are left to admire it from a distance, yearning for the day when I too might soar through the skies on the back of this iconic creature.

6. Yggdrasil

Xenogears

In the game Xenogears, there are no less than three airships named Yggdrasil. Each one has its own unique abilities that develop over time. The first Yggdrasil is limited to traveling through the desert, but unfortunately, it eventually sinks. Later on, Bart unearths a second Yggdrasil, this one buried under the Ignas Desert, which can sail across the seas.

In my excitement, I couldn’t help but feel a thrill when, upon arriving at the floating realm of Shevat, my ship underwent an incredible transformation into the Yggdrasil III. This amazing upgrade bestowed upon me the power to effortlessly glide through the heavens.

Exploring Xenogears’ universe offers some additional, albeit limited, content due to the technical and financial limitations that restricted the release of its second disc.

Even so, you can explore the world, fight unique monsters, and find powerful gear for your party. Inside the Yggdrasil, there’s a bar, a lounge, and a hangar for the Gears. It would be a treasure to see Xenogears getting a remake and board the Yggdrasil again.

5. Albiore

Tales of the Abyss

For some time, the “Tales of” series adhered to the traditional formula of Japanese Role-Playing Games, with many earlier games featuring an airship for traversal during gameplay. Yet, as the series evolved and moved beyond overworld maps towards swift travel options, vehicles were gradually removed from the gameplay mechanics.

In the game Tales of the Abyss, the Albiore is unique as it blends two different systems. The party manages to secure the airship following a collective effort to rescue it from a cliffside edge. Since ‘finders keepers’ is a universal rule, we now have the Albiore at our disposal.

Using the Albiore, adventurers can traverse the landscape, return to familiar spots, and discover hidden mysteries. This vessel offers two upgrade options: initially, it gains a quick-travel system, and subsequently, it becomes possible to confront a clandestine game boss upon its second improvement.

4. Highwind

Final Fantasy VII

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at the undeniable acclaim that surrounds “Final Fantasy VII”. This renown is significantly boosted by the release of “Final Fantasy VII Remake” and its subsequent sequel, “Final Fantasy VII Rebirth”. It’s no wonder then, that even the iconic vehicles like the Highwind from this game series are held in such high esteem, making it possibly the most celebrated airship within the expansive realm of “Final Fantasy”.

To be honest, the Highwind’s design isn’t particularly unique or advanced compared to other options, and a Gold Chocobo might even surpass it in practicality. Yet, it holds an unparalleled sentimental value as it’s the airship you swipe from Shinra Corporation, making it the most nostalgic vessel on this list.

The name carries significance too, as it’s linked to the Dragoon profession, one of the top jobs in Final Fantasy. Interestingly, the Highwind is named after Cid Highwind, who serves as the chief engineer of the airship and mirrors the Dragoon role in Final Fantasy VII.

With an airship at your disposal, you can explore the expansive open world of the JRPG, just as I hope the upcoming remake will honorably recreate the iconic vessel known as the Highwind.

3. Flying Township

Breath of Fire II

Initially, when I began drafting this list, I inquired about incorporating winged animals, to which my editor responded negatively. However, have you ever pondered the idea of flying towns? I’m confident he hadn’t anticipated that suggestion.

In a natural and easy-to-read way, “Breath of Fire II” is a role-playing game with a town building mechanic, which is one of my favorite features in any game. Enhancing the Township is incredibly satisfying and also advantageous from a gameplay standpoint. What I didn’t realize was that beneath the Township there lies an engine capable of transforming it into a flying city. That’s quite fascinating!

This airship isn’t the quickest one around, but it still manages to complete tasks effectively. However, it should be noted that its engine operates using human power, as provided by the Township.

In an unusual twist, it falls upon Ganer Bateson, the main character from Breath of Fire II and Ryu’s father, to willingly provide the energy source for this situation. It’s both chilling and touching simultaneously.

2. Ragnarok

Final Fantasy VIII

Should the deciding factor for this list be which airship is the coolest or most formidable, the Ragnarok from Final Fantasy VIII would undoubtedly claim the title.

In the group discussed, this crimson-hued, dragon-shaped spaceship boasting an exceptionally streamlined design is undeniably the most striking. Noteworthy that we’re referring to space here, as Squall and Rinoa chanced upon the Ragnarok while drifting through the Milky Way.

The Ragnarok boasts an autopilot system, two internal safe zones for saving progress, and three storage points stocked with Cura, Life, and Full-Life potions. It also offers a designated zone to engage in Triple Triad duels against the Card Club Group, considered the finest minigame found within any Japanese Role-Playing Game.

Did I mention it also has an onboard shop selling items and weapon remodeling services? Thanks to its advanced technology, it’s perfect for today’s eco-conscious adventurer.

Disregarding the exaggerated claims, the Ragnarok is truly remarkable. Out of all the airships in Final Fantasy, it’s my personal favorite. This fondness stems from my deep affection for dragons, as its design appears to be greatly influenced by these mythical beasts.

1. Epoch

Chrono Trigger

In the past, Square was particularly skilled at crafting expansive overworld maps filled with hidden gems and airships to explore these mysteries.

In a significant leap, they elevated this idea in the game Chrono Trigger by incorporating the Epoch, a versatile airship that wasn’t just for traversing every island on the planet, but could also navigate through time, visiting various periods in history.

The Epoch isn’t merely a useful airship for gameplay purposes, but also an influential tool for storytelling. It plays a significant role in the time-travel narrative of Chrono Trigger, enhancing the complexity of the plot. What makes the Epoch intriguing isn’t only its design, but the ideas and themes it embodies in what many consider to be one of the greatest JRPGs ever made.

Allow me to express my sincere regret for the error in my previous entry. Upon closer inspection, I recognized that I had mistakenly referred to this aircraft as ‘Epoch’. In fact, it is universally acknowledged as the ‘Aero-Dalton Imperial’.

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2024-12-22 20:09