There's One Reason Why FF7 Rebirth Travel Is Better Than Other Open-World Games

Like in any open-world game, travel is one of the most important aspects of , and there's one key element that the game does better than just about any competitor. The world of Gaia presented in is a huge one, translating what was originally an overworld map into a series of large open-world zones filled with activities and decorated in detailed terrain. Not every corner of the map is as exciting as the more bespoke content in the game, but it does manage to smooth over some potential annoyances in a smart way.

As was the case in the original, offers a suite of options for travel that crop up at different points in the game. Simply running from point A to point B is usually an option, but there's also a fast travel system, the situational availability of vehicles, and the series staple of Chocobos to mount and ride. Although they're always endearing, Chocobos are more useful in some games than in others, and might make the best case for them yet.

It doesn't take long to notice a huge quality of life feature when it comes to Chocobo riding in — it's possible to do a lot of key activities without dismounting. From picking up crafting materials littered throughout the world to chatting with random NPCs, pressing the triangle button on the back of a Chocobo takes care of most interactions. It's a significant improvement to the way that most video game mounts work, and it ends up saving a lot of time over the course of the adventure.

A big part of this advantage is simply a fortunate result of the long-standing Chocobo design, as a beaked creature bending over to peck at something makes a lot more sense than expecting a horse to manage a similar task. All the same, it isn't something that games have consistently taken advantage of. While let Chocobos open chests way back in 2001, the feature was absent in and It's nice to see it make a return in, and it shows that the game isn't just coasting off the approach of its direct predecessors.

Chocobos also get some mechanical