Chocobo gliding in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is one of the most exciting and practical mechanics introduced to expand exploration. Players who remember the original Final Fantasy VII will find that the Rebirth remake brings new life and depth to how chocobos are used, and gliding is a standout feature. Rather than serving as simple ground mounts, gliding chocobos offer vertical movement, hidden treasure access, and a fun way to traverse terrain that was previously unreachable. Mastering chocobo gliding is essential for uncovering the game’s many secrets, completing side content, and enjoying the open-world design of FF7 Rebirth to its fullest.
What Is Chocobo Gliding?
Redefining Chocobo Movement
In FF7 Rebirth, each region provides its own unique chocobo variant, and some of them possess the ability to glide. This allows players to leap from high points and soar across large gaps or valleys. Unlike standard sprinting or climbing, gliding gives you freedom of movement in mid-air, opening up vertical exploration opportunities that would otherwise be impossible on foot or with a regular mount.
Mechanics Behind Gliding
Chocobo gliding in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is not flight in the pure sense. Instead, it is controlled descent combined with forward momentum. Once launched from a high location, your chocobo can glide a considerable distance, depending on wind currents, launch speed, and terrain layout. Some regions even feature updrafts or gusts that can extend your airtime if used correctly.
How to Unlock Gliding Chocobos
Progress Through Regional Quests
To gain access to gliding, players need to progress through certain regional side quests that introduce the local chocobo species. Typically, you’ll need to:
- Reach a new open-world region such as the Grasslands or Junon area.
- Speak with the local Chocobo Sage or handler to trigger a taming mission.
- Complete the chocobo tracking and taming mini-game successfully.
Once tamed, the chocobo in that region becomes available for traversal and will often have the unique ability for that area gliding being one of the most useful and fun.
Controls and Usage
Basic Gliding Controls
After unlocking a gliding chocobo, you can initiate a glide by jumping off a high ledge while mounted. The default control scheme involves pressing the jump button near a drop, then holding the glide button to deploy the chocobo’s wings. From there, you can steer mid-air using the directional controls.
Maximizing Distance
To cover the greatest possible distance while gliding, make sure to:
- Start from the highest elevation available.
- Look out for wind currents or thermal drafts marked by shimmering air effects.
- Avoid sharp turns that reduce forward momentum.
- Glide in a straight path when possible to conserve altitude.
Strategic Benefits of Chocobo Gliding
Exploration and Shortcuts
Many areas in FF7 Rebirth feature cliffs, ridges, and plateaus that are otherwise unreachable. Gliding gives you access to:
- Hidden materia nodes on remote platforms.
- Shortcuts over mountain ranges and chasms.
- Rare item pickups located on ledges.
- Secret landmarks required for side quests or trophies.
Puzzle and Platforming Integration
Certain puzzle challenges and traversal puzzles require gliding as a key mechanic. You may need to time your jumps precisely to land on rotating platforms or reach switches that open blocked paths. Some of these areas even offer mini-glide challenges with rewards based on how accurately and efficiently you navigate the course.
Regions That Feature Gliding
Grasslands
The early-game region where most players first encounter gliding chocobos. The terrain includes wide fields and rocky cliffs perfect for practicing glides. Several towers and ridges offer good takeoff points.
Junon Area
This coastal zone includes massive sea cliffs and canyon paths that are best traversed using gliding. Players can spot wind currents visually and time their launches to catch lift and extend distance.
Corel Region
Desert mesas and rocky terrain make this area ideal for long glides. The game rewards players who explore thoroughly by hiding key side quest items in places only reachable by chocobo gliding.
Tips for Effective Chocobo Gliding
Look for High Points
The higher your launch point, the farther you can glide. Watch for cliffs, towers, and constructed platforms designed specifically for gliding takeoffs.
Combine Sprint and Jump
Sometimes, a running jump can give a bit of extra forward momentum, especially useful for crossing wider gaps or aiming for precision landings.
Use the Environment
Take advantage of air currents, marked with shimmering effects in the sky. These boost your chocobo upward, often giving you a second wind mid-glide.
Practice with Purpose
Like most game mechanics, chocobo gliding improves with repetition. Practice your takeoff and steering from different elevations to understand how your chocobo responds to directional input and momentum.
Unlockables and Rewards
Gliding-Exclusive Treasures
FF7 Rebirth rewards players who explore fully. Several items, such as high-level materia, weapons, and rare crafting components, are located in places only accessible via gliding chocobos.
Side Quests and Secrets
Many NPCs give clues to areas that seem unreachable by foot. Once you’ve unlocked gliding, revisit these locations and see if a nearby ridge or outcrop offers a potential glide path. Completing these quests often unlocks additional lore, gear, and gil.
Chocobo Customization
While gliding itself isn’t customizable, your chocobo’s appearance can be altered. Some outfits are unlocked through exploration, races, or challenges adding an aesthetic layer to your mount’s identity.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Jumping from too low an elevation this will result in a short glide and often a wasted effort.
- Ignoring environmental clues like wind drafts, which are key to reaching distant points.
- Assuming all chocobos can glide only certain regional variants have this ability.
- Overcorrecting mid-air, which can reduce your momentum and cause a premature landing.
Chocobo gliding in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth adds an exhilarating layer of freedom to the game’s exploration mechanics. It encourages creative problem-solving, careful observation of the environment, and a deepened connection to the game’s open-world design. With its blend of practical utility and engaging traversal, mastering chocobo gliding is both fun and rewarding. From reaching remote treasure spots to unlocking hidden side quests and bypassing obstacles, gliding truly transforms how you interact with each region. For any player serious about full completion or simply enjoying the world to the fullest, learning how to glide efficiently is essential in FF7 Rebirth.