The Rising Tide is the second and final expansion pack released for Final Fantasy An extension for those who play the game but want to delve deeper and perfect their skills. I’ll leave the specifics for another day, but Square Enix definitely has an ace up its sleeve this time around.
In the new expansion, Clive and his companions Gil, Joshua, and Togar head out to sea and reach the northern region known as Mysia. A place completely isolated from the rest of the world, where the powerful Eikon Leviathan is said to rest. Here, we’re introduced to an all-new character, Shura, who leads the small group of Mesidians who, like Clive, wants to save the people from whom Leviathan draws his power.
The story is okay and contains a few touching moments, but unfortunately Shura feels like a very bland and boring character who never stays quiet. The way Square Enix has managed to weave in the new Dominant (who Eikon belongs to) and what happens in the area are highlights. The mystery and atmosphere add to the excitement, while the addition of characters does the exact opposite.
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The side quests introduced in The Rising Tide are, for the most part, completely uninteresting and feel more like a chore than something of value. The first side mission was to run a few dozen meters to collect a bouquet of flowers to give to the blacksmith in the village, simply because the blacksmith’s wife thought it would be a good way to introduce us. It’s completely uninteresting and pointless when players have now played dozens of hours of Final Fantasy XVI. It’s not until towards the end of the three-hour expansion that a few more sensible side missions are presented, in which we’re tasked with killing the Tonberry King to stop an invasion of Tonberrys.
Square Enix’s main pitch for the expansion is that of course we get the chance to control a brand new Eikon. Early in the adventure, Clive manages to absorb enough parts to harness the kelpie’s abilities, which adds something new to the game. Wind, fire, thunder and ice are already controlled, but now we can also bombard enemies with water. With Leviathan, players are encouraged to keep their distance from their targets and bombard them with water to quickly deplete the enemy’s stagger meter and temporarily incapacitate them. I don’t think I would enjoy 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 mentioned in the introduction, developers have an ace up their sleeve.
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With The Rising Tide, not only is a completely new story presented, but also a completely new game mode, reminiscent of roguelike games. This is called the Kairos Gate and can be found in Clive’s headquarters, and when players first undergo the experience, they receive a gift from the game’s main villain, Ultima. That is, some of his power. So the expansion gives access to not only Leviathan’s abilities, but Ultima’s abilities as well, which almost feels a little overwhelming, but very much appreciated.
In Kairos Gate, players are challenged to pass all 20 levels, each of which consists of a boss from the main game. Here, your equipment is predetermined and the only thing you can change is your Eikon ability. The only way you can improve is by performing well in combat (different attack patterns, timing, etc.), which will reward you in the form of enhancements and boons. The former provides permanent upgrades for the specific round you’re playing, and the latter gives you a level or two of benefits. I’m not going to lie – Kairos Gate is super hard and will really test everything you’ve learned. After all, this is something for those looking for a challenge after the game’s credits. 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 wish for was to be able to save during the game as 20 levels take time, but unfortunately that option is not available and you have to quit and start over instead of being able to continue the level you were on.
The Rising Tide is a great conclusion to the Final Fantasy XVI saga, offering something the first expansion didn’t. With this, the game now feels complete, and with the addition of two expansion packs, it feels like a magical journey. I really want to emphasize that if you want more and really want to take on the challenge, this season pass is well worth the investment. The Rising Tide offers approximately 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 be entertaining, as there’s a lot of replay value. Without this game mode, the price of the new adventure would be hard to justify, but now there’s no doubt that it’s definitely worth every penny.
