In a jam-packed 2023,Final Fantasy XVIstood out from the crowd. It was essentially a rebranding of what the series was known for, trading futuristic for fiefdom. Even so, itsDevil May Crycombo-focused combat, epic-scale battles and high fantasy setting delivered a memorable experience to those who played it. AtThe Game Awards last year,Final Fantasy XVIlaunched its first DLC,Echoes of the Fallen, as well as teased an even bigger one in the form ofThe Rising Tide. It promised a new region, story and the inclusion of the omitted Eikon: Leviathan. WithThe Rising Tidenow available, the paid DLC, while safe in some departments, wholeheartedly delivers on its promises.
Review: Final Fantasy XVI: Echoes of the Fallen
Final Fantasy XVI: Echoes of the Fallen isn’t going to blow your socks off, but it does expand the lore and introduce a beloved antagonist.
The Rising Tideis an additional quest for players to enjoy before the final battle with Ultima. Much likeEchoes of the Fallen, it’s available from the Hideaway after completing “Priceless” and unlocking Origin on their map. Once you accept the quest, however, it becomes clear just how much bigger the experience will be compared to the previous DLC. Players are brought into a whole new region called Mysidia, an area hidden from Valisthea and Ultima’s destruction. It’s there that we find the thought-lost water Eikon,Leviathan. Upon claiming some of its power, Clive, Jill, Joshua, Torgal and newcomer Shula, a Mysidian who asks the group for their aid, embark on a quest to save the region from calamity.
Right off the bat,The Rising Tideis a much bigger DLC thanEchoes of the Fallen. In terms of length, it’s double the playtime and gives players a new open-world to explore. It feels more like a mainline quest, packing in a lot of content and having a similar arc. While Mysidia may not be as bountiful as regions like Rosaria and Sanbreque, it still delivers on telling a story exclusive to the area.
Mysidia is hidden from society, with a whole forgotten civilization living within it. Through the side missions and dialogue, we learn about the struggles of the people and how they survive in secrecy. Still, they share a dark past wrought by one haunting decision. Despite it being safe, it’s a lot deeper than other quests in the main game, which is a welcome change of pace.
Shula, the new character who joins the group during their time in Mysidia, is a fine addition that, while she doesn’t stand out as much as L’ubor or Wade, doesn’t detract from the narrative at hand. She’s more of a witness to the events than she is a key part of the quest, but she can handle her own in a battle.
In terms of the consistent elements ofFinal Fantasy XVIlike music and voice acting, it’s just as good as before. Yet again, Ben Starr’s performance as Clive remains a high point, as he continued to give his all for the role. To those returning, it’ll feel right at home as the soundtrack continues to create intense and epic moments and match the crescendos of the gameplay.
Turning The Tides of Battle
The biggest feature ofThe Rising Tideis the addition of Leviathan the Lost, which Clive can use as an Eikon. In terms of its playstyle, Leviathan dominates from afar, with many of its attacks focused on long-range distance. New abilities, such as Tsunami and Deluge, transform the base game’s close combat-focused gameplay and allow for more variety when approaching enemies.
Leviathan’s addition gives the player a more fluid-like experience in battles that feels refreshing, balanced and fun. Plus, as everything feels built towards utilizing them, it showcases the variety the new Eikon brings well. It also meshes well with others like Shiva and Titan and can lead to pulling off impressive and fun combos.
Those looking for fierce enemies and bosses will be satisfied withThe Rising Tide, though it doesn’t go above and beyond as one may expect. If players have been away fromFinal Fantasy XVIfor a time and are just picking it back up, it won’t take long to acclimate. Compared to the many foes Clive faces off against, new bosses like Timekeeper and Leviathan feel on par with the rest. Still, that doesn’t make them any less intense and nail-biting, as you’ll easily find yourself at the edge of your seat gripping your controller as you dodge and attack.
Going Rogue(like)
The main quest ofThe Rising Tideisn’t the only addition toFinal Fantasy XVI. Kairos Gate, a roguelike mode, adds a twist to the combat, giving the player chances to boost their stats in various ways. While many games likeThe Last of Us Part II RemasteredandPreyincorporated roguelikes as optional modes or DLC,Final Fantasy XVIactually lends itself well to the genre.
Each playthrough and run grant players opportunities to switch things up and experiment. It’s then that the choices for equipped Eikons and such matter, which is interesting. It does get challenging, as all roguelikes do, and it does feel rewarding to progress far and devastating when resetting progress, but the grind is anything but boring.
As mentioned before,Final Fantasy XVIlends itself to roguelike well with Kairos Gate. It’s more of a round-based mode, unlike traditional ones likeHadesorDead Cells. It tells the player what to expect per round and lets them prepare, taking a bit of the unexpected element out of the equation. Still, it doesn’t make it any less challenging, as once-pushover enemies can be one’s downfall. It makes you experiment and get outside your comfort zone in terms of picking suitable Eikons, as players (like myself) tend to stick to a rigid lineup of them for the main game.
Closing Comments:
Simply put,The Rising Tideis a fitting end toFinal Fantasy XVI. It delivers more stellar gameplay and an interesting narrative, all while further solidifying the legacy of the franchise’s sixteenth title. While it may play it safe with the characters, bosses and story, it makes up for it with the addition of Leviathan and Kairos Gate. Furthermore, the DLC is a perfect sendoff to the game, lending itself well to what was established and giving fans a chance to return to Clive, Torgal, Jill and Jonathan one last time. Those who enjoyed the base game will findThe Rising Tideto be an enjoyable and worthwhile adventure to travel back to Valisthea for.
Final Fantasy XVI: The Rising Tide
Version Reviewed: PlayStation 5
In the final DLC for Final Fantasy XVI, Clive receives an unmarked letter containing a request to rescue the Dominant of Leviathan the Lost. He and his companions travel to the hidden land of Mysidia, led by warrior Shula, to uncover the tragic history of a forgotten people and save the Dominant before it’s too late.
