Final Fantasy 16’s Rising Tide DLC Ending Explained

With Final Fantasy 16, Square Enix brought the franchise into new gameplay territory while also firmly keeping to its long history of creating elaborate and stunning worlds, complete with intricate lore and history behind it. Switching to a real-time combat system and focusing largely on a single protagonist, Clive Rosenfield, Final Fantasy 16 was truly a modern iteration of the series, and though some fans were off-put by the changes, its tale of political intrigue, ancient civilizations, and personal tragedy was compelling throughout.

Final Fantasy 16‘s land of Valisthea immerses players in a darker high fantasy setting, and while investigating the truths behind its inner workings, a major mystery regarding one of its core plot elements is hinted at, but never fully answered. The Rising Tide focuses on this subplot, finally providing answers to it and more, while also giving players some incredible new powers to use in the fight to restore Valisthea.

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Final Fantasy 16 DLC: How Long to Beat The Rising Tide?

With the second piece of FF16 DLC costing twice as much as the first, prospective players may want to know how long it takes to beat The Rising Tide.

Final Fantasy 16’s The Rising Tide DLC Story and Ending

Final Fantasy 16’s Leviathan the Lost

Within Final Fantasy 16′s particular brand of magic, gods, and related elements, entities known as Eikons—incarnations of powerful natural forces who manifest in human hosts known as Dominants—are integral to its plot. A number of important characters are avatars for these Eikons, including lead Clive and some of his close circle of friends and allies.

Among the pantheon of Eikons, it is established and well-known in FF 16‘s lore that the Eikon of Water, Leviathan, has not been seen or heard from for nearly a century, and the reasons behind its absence are shrouded in secrets and half-truths. The Rising Tide peels back the curtain on this thread, revealing what really happened to Leviathan, and allowing Clive and his group to rectify the situation.

The Rising Tide Provides Satisfying Closure to One of Final Fantasy 16’s Biggest Mysteries

Clive, Joshua, and Jill journey with newcomer Shula to her hidden village in Mysidia. As she explains on the way, it is veiled and protected by a glamour sustained by a network of magical beacons, which is why it was previously unknown and inaccessible. Shula divulges that years ago, her tribe, the Motes of Water, nomadically wandered through various regions, eventually being persecuted by the theocratic empire of Sanbreque, forcing them to seek refuge in Mysidia and hide themselves away.

After discovering a method to do so, they needed a way to power it. An infant named Waljas manifested as Leviathan’s Dominant, and tribal leaders heartlessly sought to use Waljas as a sort of magical perpetual battery, to sustain their version of a manmade mothercrystal.

Leviathan itself, sensing what was happening, lashed out at those attempting to exploit Waljas, resulting in it summoning an enormous wave that would’ve destroyed the entire village. In a desperate last-minute move, the tribe cast a dangerous spell, which froze Waljas and the wave in time, and both have remained trapped in that state ever since. Shula also reveals that she has a family lineage with Waljas, and as guardian of the Motes, has taken the responsibility of watching over him the best she can.

Once the party has been informed of the situation, they attempt to relieve Waljas of his burden, and Clive clashes with Leviathan to calm its rage induced by Shula’s ancestors. After Leviathan is tamed and its power safely absorbed by Clive, Shula adopts and ceremoniously initiates Waljas into the Motes of Water, vowing to raise and protect him henceforth.

With the storm quelled and the village secured, Clive and friends then continue on their quest to prevent Ultima’s machinations from coming to fruition. The Rising Tide gives fans more great story and gameplay content, tying up one of FF 16‘s major loose ends by connecting it seamlessly to the main plot.

Final Fantasy 16

Final Fantasy 16 is an action RPG developed by Square Enix. Set in the land of Valisthea, six different factions are on the brink of war due to a spreading disease known as the Blight. Much of the plot revolves around summoned monsters called Eikons, who are controlled by unique humans called Dominants. 

Released

June 22, 2023

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence

How Long To Beat

36 Hours

Metascore

87

Genre(s)

Action RPG

PS Plus Availability

N/A