Final Fantasy XVI could be about to shake the base game’s story to the core as The Rising Tide DLC gets washed ashore on April 18.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth hasn’t even been out for a month and a half and yet we find ourselves again on the cusp of a big release from Square Enix, in what is proving a huge 12 months from the company.
Why is The Rising Tide such a big deal?
This is a bigger release than most DLCs because, credit to Square Enix on this, they have teed this up to be both inevitable and potentially huge. During the latter stages of XVI, it becomes quite clear where potential DLC could lie, with it emphasised that there is a lost ‘Eikon’, the beings that protagonist Clive Rosfield absorbs and takes on to have more powers. If anyone says they heard the line in the base game and didn’t immediately suss out where the DLC is coming from, they’re lying.
So The Rising Tide addresses this lost Eikon and trailers have already shown that yes, Clive does end up absorbing Its powers. For the story this development is quietly huge, because throw yourself back to the ending of XVI, what does the villain repeatedly call Clive? An incomplete vessel.
Clive is missing something, namely the powers of Leviathan and the final Eikon. Given the vague ending to the game, fans are undecided if Clive is dead or alive and honestly, there are good arguments for both. So Clive fulfilling his potential in terms of power could lead to a very different and more clear-cut ending. It could change the legacy of the game quite significantly.
The Rising Tide proves that planning pays off
Of course, Square is well aware of this. It’s hard to see how this wasn’t preplanned, it’s a quite impressive way of going about planning the game. It’s also worth noting: the original ending to XVI is in itself a great and satisfying way of ending the story.
This isn’t just speculation though, Square is already teasing some changes beyond just the additions courtesy of the DLC courtesy of the last scene in the trailer. it would make an awful lot of sense if obtaining Leviathan and becoming a complete vessel changes the game’s ending.
Could there be a clear answer as to whether Clive survives? Will Joshua somehow his seemingly inevitable death this time round? It’s unclear what exactly Clive being complete could mean, but it’s unlikely to be insignificant. It feels like Square has quite a broad range of options to go about changing the ending, which is a very exciting prospect for the DLC.
XVI proved that Square could provide a dark middle-aged fantasy title and pull it off. Some of the side quests hinted at some pretty grim elements but it was a huge return to form for the numbered entries in the game. The ending wrapped it up nicely, but crucially it was quite vague.
Each Eikon changed up the gameplay as well, so being able to go into a fresh playthrough with a new set of tricks up Clive’s sleeve is an exciting prospect.
We mysd-ia! Missed-ya, Mysidia, geddit?… Please don’t fire me.
The DLC is far from just one fight though. Long-time fans of the series will be delighted with the chance to go back to Mysidia, a place best known for its role in the fourth entry after debuting in the second. It promises yet more exploration of what was a beautifully done world, and as this writer typed that they could pleasantly hear Clive calling out to his Chocobo “Fly Ambrosia!”
It also provides an increased level cap for both story mode and the harder Final Fantasy mode. There are also further post-game challenges to be added, as well as the return of the famous but still utterly horrifying Tonberries. There are also new sidequests and weapons promised, so this is looking like a seriously impressive DLC.
Away from paid content Square is also releasing a free update for the game on the 18th, which will include: an option to return to a quest giver immediately after finishing a quest, new icon updates and a much-needed ability to save ability sets. This seems like a very thorough release from Square, who aren’t taking chances.
The Rising Tide caps quite a year for Square Enix
To have both DLCs out within a year of the original game’s release is quite a feat as well. It’s an accomplishment from Square Enix, and given the quality of both XVI and Rebirth they deserve serious plaudits.
It could wrap up a seriously impressive 12 months for Final Fantasy, with XVI proving that new entries in the franchise are a force to be reckoned with, followed by the excellent VII: Rebirth taking 2024 by storm. Square Enix is back on their perch and this DLC could only further cement that. This writer feels like Marvel fans did about 14 years ago when the series became part of the cultural zeitgeist again. It’s a lovely time to be a Final Fantasy fan.
That inevitable replay of Final Fantasy XVI just became a whole lot more urgent.
