Final Fantasy XVI: The Rising Tide Review

Final Fantasy XVI The Rising Tide Review: Exploring New Depths

Following the relatively compact scale of the first Final Fantasy XVI DLC, Echoes of the Fallen, I was cautiously optimistic about the second and presumably final piece of upcoming DLC content, The Rising Tide. This more story-focused scenario introduces a new area with new characters alongside a new Eikon, Leviathan the Lost. After experiencing this comparatively ambitious venture, I’ve felt satisfied on a gameplay level, though some of the missed writing choices are questionable.

Mysidia Unveiled: Setting and Story Expansion in The Rising Tide

The Rising Tide follows Clive, Jill, and Joshua traveling to the literally veiled land of Mysidia after receiving a mysterious message from someone of vague import. This journey leads the trio into a seemingly otherworldly locale where the sky is jarringly blue and time is at a relative standstill. There, they’re tasked with saving Leviathan’s Dominant, who is far from a typical Eikon wielder. Narrative-wise, The Rising Tide primarily focuses on the new character, Shula, the chief of Mysidia’s people. She battles alongside Clive and his companions in a collective effort to save the Dominant. Her calm and collected attitude befits her role, and she provides an endearing dynamic with Clive as a fellow leader who can relate to the strife she willingly endures. Moreover, the reasoning behind Mysidia being hidden from the outside is given significant detail, with the lore surrounding its discovery making it a genuinely snug fit for the world.

The Rising Tide DLC expands the Final Fantasy XVI universe with an engaging narrative and challenging new battles that push the gameplay to its limits.

The initial sidequests here are forgettable as they’re really just there to open up access to shops and Clive’s Chocobo, but the later ones are somewhat compelling thanks to the inherently endearing nature of Mysidia’s people standing out compared to the base game’s citizens. There’s a decent amount, with some even being unlocked after defeating the main story, so players can anticipate a healthy degree of content. I was pleasantly surprised that the Leviathan battle is pretty challenging in Final Fantasy mode. It’s the most difficult story battle, making it a memorable send-off for this entry.

Epic Encounters: Leviathan and New Combat Challenges

However, one area in which The Rising Tide is highly questionable regards the implementation of Joshua and Jill. The former barely feels present, and the latter, who was teased to have some manner of importance in this scenario, is given almost nothing. Jill plays a minor role in addressing certain phenomena affecting Mysidia, but her thoughts are glossed over, illustrating a clearly missed opportunity for greater characterization. Clive and Shula are the evident focal points for several scenes, and they’re fantastic. Summatively, it would’ve made much more sense if Clive traveled here on his own rather than roping in Joshua and Jill for little to no reason. Another area of disappointment, though minor, is the DLC story’s length. While I’m glad the plot wasn’t needlessly padded out for hollow gameplay time, I would’ve liked more explorable areas. It took me around five to six hours to complete all the quests and story here.

While The Rising Tide shines in its complex combat and intriguing new areas, it misses some opportunities to deepen its character development.

Gameplay Innovations: Leviathan’s Abilities and Roguelite Mode

Back to gameplay, Leviathan is one of my new favorite Eikons, as it provides a unique ranged toolkit that decimates groups. In fact, the enemy encounters in this DLC are ideal testing grounds for what Leviathan can do, so I recommend giving it a few test runs. It’s also worth noting that after you beat the story, examining the Arete Stone in the Hideaway will give you a shocking reward, assuming you’ve also completed the base game. This award is a terrific capstone that those invested in the combat side of things will love.

Speaking of combat emphasis, the other significant feature of The Rising Tide DLC, which is also unlocked after completing the plot, is Kairos Gate. This 20-floor roguelite mode is a compelling arena for you to give your best with your ideal Eikon ability configurations. Aside from standard enemy waves, a boss is located every five floors, too. The roguelite implementation is in the form of two currencies for Enhancements and Boons. The former are permanent upgrades for the run, while the latter are gameplay benefits that last for a select number of rounds. Knowing which ones best impact your playstyle is paramount for success here. If you’re yearning for your action fill, then you’ll get it here.

The introduction of the Leviathan battle represents a high point in Final Fantasy XVI’s DLC, providing a memorable and strategic challenge that will test even veteran players.

Final Thoughts: The Rising Tide’s Impact on the Final Fantasy XVI Saga

When also considering the massive free update released only a day before, Final Fantasy XVI The Rising Tide demonstrates an undeniable effort by Creative Business Unit III to take player feedback into account and manifest a more fulfilling gameplay experience. While The Rising Tide stumbles with its explorable scope and characterization for select individuals, its combat highs are standout. Fans of the base game and the first DLC should definitely pick this up if they haven’t already.