Square Enix and developer Creative Business Unit III have released a new trailer, details, and a release date for the second expansion for Final Fantasy XVI. The Rising Tide is set to launch next month on April 18.
The Rising Tide is set before the end of Final Fantasy XVI’s story. A unmarked letter arrives at the hideaway, containing a most curious request – the Domniant of Leviathan, the long lost Eikon of Water, is in need of rescue.
To help, Clive and his companions journey to the hidden land of Mysidia, where they learn about the tragic history of a forgotten people. The party will be joined by a mysterious new ally named Shula as players explore a beautiful new region full of new sights, sounds, and side stories that reveal more about the area and its people. The region also introduces new threats – including tonberries. Levithan can be found in the ominous Aire of Hours – once a bastion of civilization, now silent save for the incessant sharpening of knives.
With the power of Levithan, Clive can tame the tides to drown enemies near and far and use Serpent’s Cry to call a sea-spitting serpent that will fire precision strikes to foes at great distances.
The new expansion to the game also brings in additional updates including raising the level cap from 50 to 60 in Story Focused and Action Focused modes. The cap gets raised from 100 to 110 in Final Fantasy mode (New Game+). Quality-of-life improvements include:
- a new ‘Quick Complete’ feature, which lets you return to a quest giver immediately
- icon updates for important character quests
- a new Skill Set feature, which allows you to save up to five unique Feat and Ability sets
- Abilities and Accessories have been adjusted for easier use
- Players can now customize button layouts
- New Photo Mode features, including tone correction, screen effects, and more
- loads of new Orchestrion Rolls
The other big thing coming to Final Fantasy XVI is a new endgame mode called Kairos Gate. It’ll become available once you complete The Rising Tide and the main game. Kairos Gate lets players delve into the depths of a virtual world, taking on wave after wave of increasingly tougher foes. As players complete stages, they’ll earn materials, weapons, and points that can be used to upgrade Clive.