The Rising Tide is the second and last expansion pack released for Final Fantasy The expansion for those who play the game but want to deepen and perfect their skills. I’ll leave the details for another day, but Square Enix definitely has an ace up their sleeve this time.
Final Fantasy XVI has never offered environments as beautiful as this one.
In the new expansion, Clive and his companions Gil, Joshua, and Togar go out to sea and reach the northern region called Mysia. A place completely isolated from the rest of the world, where the mighty Eikon Leviathan is said to rest. Here, we are introduced to a completely new character, Shura, who leads the small group of Mesidians who, like Clive, want to save the people from whom Leviathan draws his power .
The story is okay and there are a few interesting moments, but unfortunately Shura feels like a very dull and boring character who won’t stay quiet. The way Square Enix managed to weave in the new Dominants (who Eikon belongs to) and what happens in the region. The mystery and atmosphere add to the excitement, and additional characters do the opposite.
Here’s a hint:
Compared to Echoes of the Fallen, Rising Tide offers a more interesting story.
The side quests introduced in The Rising Tide are, for the most part, completely uninteresting and feel more like a chore than something worthwhile. The first side mission was to run a few dozen meters to collect a bouquet of flowers to take to the blacksmith in town, just because the blacksmith’s wife thought it would be a good way to get us in. It’s completely uninteresting and pointless when players have now played twelve hours of Final Fantasy XVI. It is not until near the end of the three-hour expansion that several more meaningful side missions are presented, in which we are tasked with killing the Tonberry King to stop an attack on the Tonberrys.
The main area of Square Enix’s expansion is that we get to control a modern Eikon. Early in the adventure, Clive has managed to absorb enough parts to make use of the kelp’s abilities, which add something new to the game. Wind, fire, thunder and ice are already controlled, but now we can also blast enemies with water. With Leviathan, players are encouraged to keep their distance from their targets and bombard them with water to quickly reduce the enemy’s stagger meter and temporarily incapacitate them. I don’t think I’ll like the powers as much as I do. When you’ve played the game for over 80 hours and switched between the other six powers, it can be hard for another power to make an impact. However, Square Enix managed to do the impossible. Because, as I said in the introduction, developers are getting an ace up their alley.
There are some new enemies to experience, including the classic and deadly Tonberries.
Here’s a hint:
With The Rising Tide, not only a completely new story is presented, but also a completely new game mode, which is similar to roguelike games. This is called the Kairos Gate and can be found in Clive’s headquarters, and when players first get the experience, they receive a gift from the game’s main villain, Ultima. That is, some of his power. Therefore, the expansion not only gives access to the abilities of Leviathan, but also the abilities of Ultima, which almost feels a little terrible, but greatly appreciated.
In Kairos Gate, players are challenged to pass all 20 levels, each of which features a boss from the main game. Here, your equipment is preset and the only thing you can change is your Eikon ability. The only way you can improve is by performing well in combat (various attack patterns, timing, etc.), which will reward you in the form of improvements and favors. The former provides a permanent upgrade for the particular round you’re playing, while the latter gives you a level or two of benefits. I’m not going to lie – Kairos Gate is very tough and will really test everything you’ve learned. After all, this is something for those who are looking for a challenge after the credits of the game. Square Enix has even created a leaderboard where you can compete against other players and earn as many points as possible. The only thing I want is to be able to save during the game because 20 levels take time, but unfortunately that option is not available and you have to stop and start -again instead of being able to continue at the level you were at.
As you might expect, the battle with Leviathan is huge.
The Rising Tide is a great conclusion to the Final Fantasy XVI saga, offering something that the first expansion did not. With this, the game now feels complete, and with two additional expansion packs, it feels like a magical journey. I really want to emphasize that if you want more and are eager to take on the challenge, this season pass is well worth the investment. The Rising Tide offers about three hours of story, with an additional two hours if you want to complete the extended side missions. However, it’s hard to tell how long Kairos Gate will keep you entertained, as it has a lot of replay value. Without this game mode, the price of the new adventure would be difficult to determine, but now there is no doubt that it is worth every penny.
