Final Fantasy XVI concluded with a definitive note, but its DLC rollout delves deeper into the world of Valisthea. The main story hinted at unresolved elements, providing a clear opportunity for additional content. The first of two DLC expansions, Echoes of the Fallen, was released in December 2023, allowing players to re-enter the world as protagonist Clive for more action-RPG combat.
The upcoming The Rising Tide DLC promises to complete the package, enabling players to wield Leviathan as an Eikon power and addressing lingering questions from the base game. After experiencing Echoes of the Fallen, a conversation with FFXVI DLC director Takeo Kujiraoka shed light on the post-game content development and its implications for the franchise’s future.
One notable aspect was the consideration of player feedback soon after the game’s launch. Kujiraoka mentioned intentional changes to combat balancing, specifically boosting the overall strength of enemies in the DLC.
This adjustment was evident in the challenging boss fight against Omega, reminiscent of Final Fantasy XIV’s raid bosses. Kujiraoka explained that player reactions and streams influenced their decision to elevate enemy strength, acknowledging that both DLCs assume experienced players since they occur just before the final act of the base game.
For a long-time FFXIV player familiar with Savage raids, the difficulty and familiarity of the process of learning how to beat the boss left a strong impression. Kujiraoka addressed the potential cross-pollination between FFXIV and FFXVI, emphasizing that any similarities were an homage to previous titles and nods to fans.
The composer, Masayoshi Soken, contributed to the Echoes of the Fallen DLC by remixing the Omega boss theme from FFXIV into a new track, showcasing the collaborative efforts within Square Enix’s Creative Business Unit III.
Regarding the upcoming Leviathan-themed DLC, Kujiraoka expressed confidence in the quality of the music for The Rising Tide, hinting at fantastic pieces. Despite the DLCs drawing inspiration from past Final Fantasy games, they aim to enrich the world of Valisthea without introducing new elements.
Kujiraoka stated that all loose ends from the main game were picked up by the DLCs, making additional content challenging. However, he hinted at the possibility of exploring the outer isles beyond Valisthea, leaving a potential opening for future developments.
FFXVI incorporated heavy narrative themes such as enslavement, abolition, and uprising, with varying degrees of success. Kujiraoka hinted at the underlying theme in both DLCs, exploring how people will live in a world with fewer crystals or without them.
The story, reflecting on climate change, aims to provide glimpses into the world’s future without presenting a definitive conclusion. Echoes of the Fallen, a short but challenging experience, leads into The Rising Tide DLC, scheduled for release in Spring 2024. For those yet to dive into the base game, a Final Fantasy XVI review praised it as a great entry in the series, celebrating its stunning moments and characters on its own terms with a score of 9/10.
