Final Fantasy XVI: The Rising Tide

About Final Fantasy XVI: The Rising Tide

Final Fantasy XVI: The Rising Tide serves as the second major expansion for Square Enix's action RPG. Released on April 18, 2024, this DLC adds significant content to the base game available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. Players control Clive Rosfield once again in a single-player experience that expands the existing narrative. The story focuses on an unmarked letter that summons Clive and his crew to Mysidia, a hidden island nation. Their mission involves finding the lost Dominant of Leviathan and confronting the legendary Eikon of Water. This expansion deepens the lore while introducing fresh environments for players to explore within the established world of Valisthea.

Gameplay

The core loop remains a fast-paced hack-and-slash combat system where you dodge, block, and unleash timed abilities against massive foes. You will spend most of your time maneuvering Clive through new dungeon layouts while managing Eikon transformations during critical encounters. The expansion introduces the Leviathan battle as a major set-piece that changes how you approach enemy patterns compared to earlier fights. Expect long sessions where you grind for materials to upgrade your gear before tackling the new story beats. Controls feel responsive with tight hitboxes, though the difficulty spikes noticeably when facing the water-based Eikon mechanics. You can switch between different weapon stances on the fly to counter specific enemy types found in these underwater and coastal regions.

What Players Think

The PlayPile community has reacted strongly to this content release. IGDB lists a score of 80.1 out of 100 based on 12 user ratings, showing solid approval. Average playtime for the DLC sits around eight hours, indicating a concise but focused experience rather than an endless grind. Completion rates show that roughly 65% of owners have finished all main objectives within the Rising Tide chapter. Community mood analysis reveals high excitement regarding the Leviathan fight mechanics, though some players note the final boss requires more preparation than previous encounters. Review snippets frequently mention the emotional weight of the Mysidia storyline as a highlight compared to the base game's darker tone.

PlayPile's Take

This expansion is worth your money if you want more combat and lore without needing to grind for dozens of hours. The price point reflects the length since it runs about eight hours on average. You will earn several new achievements that test your mastery of the water-elemental Eikon abilities. Players who skipped the base game might find the story confusing without context, but veterans will appreciate the deeper dive into the world. It is not a perfect 10/10 addition due to some pacing issues in the middle section, but it delivers a memorable climax. Buy this only if you have already completed the main campaign and want to see how Clive handles the Leviathan threat.

Storyline

An unmarked letter arrives at the hideaway containing a request most curious: the Dominant of Leviathan, long lost Eikon of Water, is in need of rescue. To heed this call, Clive and his companions must journey to Mysidia—a hidden land under a blue sky—where they will uncover the tragic history of a forgotten people.