Last year’s controversial action-focused mainline Final Fantasy entry, Final Fantasy 16, will enhance its sprawling narrative by introducing The Rising Tide DLC, focusing on the “missing” Eikon, Leviathan. This new content, promising around 10 hours of gameplay, offers players deeper insights into the world of Valisthea and its inhabitants without altering the game’s final outcome.
Despite speculation and hopes from fans, the game’s producer, Naoki Yoshida, and DLC director, Takeo Kujiraoka, have clarified that the addition of Leviathan’s powers through this DLC will not change the game’s ending in a recent interview with Game Informer.
The Rising Tide DLC, announced during The Game Awards and set to release this spring, is an intriguing addition for fans, particularly because Leviathan was notably missing in the base game. The decision to exclude this Eikon initially was a strategic move by the developers, intentionally leaving a narrative gap that it could later explore through the use of additional content. This approach is allowing the developers to expand upon the game’s lore and provide a richer, more complex understanding of the game’s universe without compromising the integrity of the original story.
The ending of Final Fantasy 16, much like in other entries of the franchise, has been the latest topic of discussion, with some expressing desires for a more definitive conclusion. However, the game’s narrative – centering not just on the protagonists Clive and Joshua but also on themes of environmental destruction, social class, and the importance of a collective effort in rebuilding a world – leaves room for interpretation and personal reflection.
To put it simply, the ambiguity of FF16‘s ending is intentional. It encourages the players to consider the story’s implications beyond the immediate actions and fates of its main characters.
Yoshida’s commitment to preserving the game’s original narrative and ending, despite the new content, stems from his respect for the original artistic vision and the experiences of all players, regardless of those who will purchase the DLC.
Nevertheless, those looking for gameplay enhancements will find plenty more to do in The Rising Tide. The additional features, on top of Leviathan’s powers, which includes a new explorable area and presumably at least one epic Eikon fight, should satisfy fans of the game.
While unfortunate for those hoping for a revised ending, it’s clear that Square Enix has designed the DLC to complement the existing narrative, not to rewrite it.
Speaking of FF16, it looks like the development team has moved on to other projects. In particular, Yoshi-P, is hoping that another director gets a shot at making the next mainline Final Fantasy game.
