With publication Final Fantasy 16‘s High tide DLC, fans say goodbye to Square Enix’s latest numbered entry in the long-running RPG series.
Final Fantasy XVI (FF16) was released for PlayStation 5 in June 2023 to great popularity, as the almost 40-year-old video game franchise entered a new era inspired by e.g. Game of Thrones and Witcher.
Developer Square Enix followed up the success of the base game with an extensive DLC plan. This sequel included two major DLC drops – Echoes of the Fallen (which was released in December 2023) and upcoming High tide.
When is Final Fantasy 16’s DLC coming out?
The High tide For DLC Final Fantasy 16 will be released on Thursday, April 18, more than four months after the game’s last major content drop.
Based on the release time of the previous DLC, Echoes of the Fallen likely to hit PlayStation 5 consoles at midnight ET.
This means fans on the West Coast of North America will be able to enjoy the game in prime time, which was released on Wednesday, April 17th at 9pm ET.
Here is a list of expected release times around the world.
- Midnight ET – New York City
- 9:00 PM PT – Los Angeles
- 5am GST – London, England
- 13:00 JST – Tokyo, Japan
How to buy Final Fantasy 16’s Rising Tide DLC
The Final Fantasy 16 High tide The DLC is available for purchase from Sony’s PlayStation Store and requires the base game to be installed.
The High tide DLC is part FF16 Expansion Pass, which costs $24.99 USD and includes both High tide and Echoes of the Fallen DLCs.
It can be pre-purchased now for that price on the PlayStation Store, allowing for any pre-load period if Square Enix allows players to install the content well in advance of its availability.
Echoes of the Fallen Especially got a separate release at launch for $9.99 USD, so that’s expected High tide receive the same treatment.
Those who want to start High tide right at launch, you have to complete a portion of the base game before you can access the DLC content.
According to the official FF16 website, players will be able to access the new mission after unlocking Origin as a destination on the world map and completing the “Priceless” mission in the main scenario.
The “Priceless” mission becomes available mid-game, so those just starting out have some work to do before they can use High tide contents.
What does Final Fantasy 16: Rising Tide DLC include?
If Echoes of the Fallen there were indications, fans are in for a packed-to-the-gills experience High tide.
The upcoming DLC drop will include a new set of Leviathan Eikonic abilities, new story content, locations and boss battles.
These new stories take players to the region of Mysidia. This tropical jungle location has new missions to complete, lots of battles to get into, and Final Fantasy XVI strawberries found in the ominous Aire of Hours.
There is also a new challenge mode for players. Players can now venture into the virtual underworld to fight wave after wave of enemies to hone their skills and earn great rewards.
As part of High tide drop, the game’s level caps are also raised, bringing the cap to 60 in the base game and 110 in New Game+.
By High tide Director Takeo Kujiraoka, they approach this DLC like “MMO Expansion Pack”, packed with lots of content for players to enjoy (per Push Square):
“Our concept for The Rising Tide was to approach it like an MMO expansion pack and include all the elements of Final Fantasy 16. There’s a new field area and village, new side quests, new equipment and abilities for Clive, scary bosses and the Eikon fight, and even endgame content that can be played after the DLC is completed.”
He said that this final release of content will make the game “richer” and “It’s all the more enjoyable to play:”
“For those returning to ‘Final Fantasy 16’ for the first time in a while, Valisthea will undoubtedly feel like she grew up with Clive’s story. If you’re playing ‘Final Fantasy 16’ for the first time, the overall game experience will be richer and more enjoyable to play. The team did everything we could to create something for players who fell in love with the world and gameplay of ‘Final Fantasy 16’, so I really hope people will pick it up and give it a try.”
At the same time, an update to the base game will also arrive, which will include changes such as (via the PlayStation Blog):
- With the new “Quick Complete” function, you can immediately return to the task giver
- Icon updates for important character missions
- A new Skill Set feature that allows players to save up to five unique sets of Feats and Abilities
- Abilities and accessories have been adjusted for ease of use
- The new “Custom” controller type allows for freely customizable button layouts
- Tonal correction, display effects and more have been added to the photo mode
- Several new orchestra rolls added
Will there be more Final Fantasy 16 DLC?
A rising tide DLC means the end Final Fantasy 16post-release roadmap.
It’s the last promised DLC expansion, forming part two of the title’s two-part post-launch plans.
In conversation with Push Square FF16 director Takeo Kujiraoka confirmed this fact and declared, “Report Final Fantasy 16 has ended with this DLC:”
“The story of Final Fantasy 16 has come to an end with this Rising Tide expansion. The DLC development team only got this far because fans told us how much they enjoyed the main game. Thank you so much!”
This will be like Final Fantasy 16 the team will move on to new projects at Square Enix.
Final Fantasy 16 is now available for PlayStation 5.
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