Square Enix has announced a release date of April 18, 2024, for its upcoming Final Fantasy 16 DLC, The Rising Tide.
The company revealed the date along with a glistening new trailer today, showing off a much better look at how the story content will expand upon Clive and Co.’s journey. It seems to be shaping up to add even more cinematic encounters to a game that is known for larger-than-life battles, but the trailer’s real highlight has to be the battle between Ifrit and Leviathan.
The Final Fantasy 16: The Rising Tide trailer features more details in its description, which you can read below.
“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,” the synopsis says. “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.”
Final Fantasy 16 launched exclusively for PlayStation 5 last year. While The Rising Tide is set to add more content for players to enjoy, it isn’t Square Enix’s first expansion for the game. Players received the first DLC chapter, Echoes of the Fallen, back in December.
To help catch fans up to speed, Square Enix published additional information about The Rising Tide in a new PlayStation.Blog post. New additions include increased level caps of 60 for the Story and Action Focused Modes and 110 for Final Fantasy Mode. The DLC will also give Clive a set of new watery Eikon Abilities, while those looking for endgame content will find extra challenge and leaderboards to climb in a new addition called Kairos Gate.
The Rising Tide will be available to purchase separately or as part of the Final Fantasy 16 Expansion Pass for $24.99. Those who purchase either option will receive a “reimagined version” of the Curtana from Final Fantasy 14 as well as “Torn from the Heavens” and “Through the Maelstrom” Orchestrion Rolls for the hideaway.
Square Enix adds that version 1.30 will arrive free for all Final Fantasy 16 players on April 18, too. You can see some of the quality-of-life improvements it will bring below:
· Return to a quest giver immediately with the new “Quick Complete” function
· Icon updates for important character quests
· A new Skill Set feature, which allows players to save up to five unique Feat and Ability sets
· Abilities and Accessories adjusted for easier use
· New “Custom” controller type allows for freely customizable button layouts
· Tone correction, screen effects, and more added to Photo Mode
· Numerous new orchestrion rolls added
While Final Fantasy 16 is currently only available for PS5, Square Enix said that a PC version is in the “final stages of optimization” earlier this month. When it does eventually come to other platforms, more players will get to enjoy a new version of an experience that we gave a 9/10. In our review, we said, “Final Fantasy 16 will very likely be looked back upon as a turning point for mainline Final Fantasy games, taking its combat fully in the direction of an action game, but I hope that conversation doesn’t overshadow its dark and captivating tale, memorable characters, and the innovative ways in which it helps you keep track of it all.”
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
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