Travelling in Final Fantasy 8

Chocobo's

Final Fantasy VIII Chocobo The traditional mascot of Final Fantasy is back in the 8th sequel. This time you can still use them for transportation on the world map, but how you obtain them is unknown. I am presuming that you can breed different types of Chocobo to increase their abilities, but even that isn't certain.

Travelling with the Chocobo


The Ragnarok

The Ragnarok Flying ships have been the staple of Final Fantasy series titles. In Final Fantasy 8, the crew gets to fly Ragnarok, a futuristic vessel that is designed for maximum mobility. It is fitted with two high output engines that give it maneuverability on a par with conventional aircrafts, armed with a 609mm charged particle beam cannon and two 152mm multi-barrel laser cannons. Ragnarok is said to be developed secretly by an unnamed country. Count on seeing an impressive event or two involving this craft.

Taking off In Space?
Are we going to get space travel for the first time since Final Fantasy 4?


Trains

The Ragnarok Trains were used quite a bit in Final Fantasy 7, but only within Midgar itself. Trains in Final Fantasy 8, at least on the Island of Balamb, form an integeral part of the transport system. The main disadvantage is that the stations get you from A to B in a set path, and you can only get off at each end, but they are a quick and cheaper alternative to renting a car.

The SeeD even have their own special train to get them on priority missions quickly and easily (see the below picture on the left).

The Train Station in Balamb Trains on the World Map
Trains were a big part of Midgar in Final Fantasy 7, now they're a bigger part of Final Fantasy 8 as a whole.


Cars

Squall in a Car A new addition to a Final Fantasy game is the Car, introduced to keep up with the modern image Final Fantasy 8 is trying to convey. Cars can be used to drive along roads, such as the Balamb City - Garden road which Squall uses alot. You can also drive them off-road.

At this time, it is only known that you can rent cars, but in the later stages in the game you may be able to buy them. You rent them from shops which are located in the major cities, such as Balamb, and they are painted in different colours depending on the city of origin. In Balamb, the cars that you rent are red.

The Rent-A-Car Shop Car parked on Beach
This is where you rent your cars from in Balamb.