Square Enix has just revealed the final release date for the highly anticipated DLC for Final Fantasy 16. The second and final expansion for one of PlayStation 5’s fastest-selling games is launching on April 18, again, exclusively on Sony’s flagship console. This premium content (priced at $19.99 as a standalone purchase and $24.99 as part of the Expansion Pass that includes both The Rising Tide and Echoes of the Fallen) promises to expand FF16‘s universe.
With at least ten hours of additional content, The Rising Tide will take players on a brand new journey with Clive and his companions to the mystical continent of Mysidia, a familiar name for long-time franchise fans. This new adventure is set just right before the game’s climatic battle and introduces the continent as the dwelling place of the lost/last Eikon, Leviathan.
According to Square Enix, Mysidia will feature lush, mysterious open zones filled with new towns, questions, and challenges, including one final awe-inspiring Eikon battle.
The highlight of the latest reveal from Square Enix is the endgame combat challenge “Kairos Gate”. Described as FF16‘s answer to Devil May Cry‘s Bloody Palace, it features 20 combat stages for players to conquer and compete in global leaderboards.
Finally, fans can expect over 170 fixes for FF16, addressing quality-of-life improvements, performance enhancements, and introducing a side quest autocomplete function for a smoother gaming experience.
One of the main talking points about Final Fantasy 16 was that it ended with a “missing piece.” Clive, the protagonist, couldn’t find all the Eikons in time for the final battle, which many theorized meant that he was “incomplete.” The Rising Tide will fix that by revealing the story of the Dominant of Leviathan, who’s apparently in need of rescuing. Following an epic battle, players can look forward to having Clive harness the power of Leviathan, enabling him to unleash aquatic devastation upon his foes.
Unfortunately, Square Enix has made it clear that The Rising Tide won’t change the base game’s ending. However, many have taken this to mean that Square will add an “alternate” ending instead.
Regardless of whether that’s true, players won’t have to wait for too long to find out.
For now, those interested in visiting Mysidia and getting access to Kairos Gate will want to purchase either the DLC itself to the Expansion Pass to receive the following bonuses: a reimagined version of “Curtana”, the signature weapon of the Warrior of Light from Final Fantasy 14 and two Orchestrion Rolls featuring iconic tracks from the game.
Unfortunately, Square Enix didn’t confirm when the PC port of Final Fantasy 16 will be available, but the April release date of The Rising Tide all but confirms that it will arrive in time for the holiday season.
Despite the controversies and backlash, Final Fantasy 16 was one of last year’s best-selling games with several awards to its name.
