The upcoming expansion for the acclaimed role-playing game, Final Fantasy XVI, titled "The Rising Tide" is set for release on April 18, Square Enix has announced. This paid DLC will take adventurers with Clive and his companions to Mysidia in a quest to rescue the water Eikon Leviathan, while uncovering the tragic history of a forgotten people. Alongside narrative content, the expansion introduces new in-game areas, raises the maximum level cap, and grants access to Leviathan's abilities. "The Rising Tide" DLC also adds the Kairos Gate mode, where players compete through 20 levels to earn points, climb a global leaderboard, and unlock additional materials and weapons for their journey.

Complementing the DLC, a free update, version 1.30, will be released on the same day, bringing significant improvements to the base game. In related news, Square Enix has mentioned that the PC version of Final Fantasy XVI is nearing the end of its optimization phase. Additionally, there's buzz around the future of the series, with Naoki Yoshida suggesting that a new director should helm Final Fantasy 17.

When is the Final Fantasy XVI "The Rising Tide" DLC launching and what are its key features?

The "The Rising Tide" DLC for Final Fantasy XVI will launch on April 18, and it will feature a new story arc in Mysidia, raising the level cap, Leviathan's abilities, new areas, and the competitive Kairos Gate mode, along with the free 1.30 update for the base game.

Final Fantasy XVI is developed and published by Square Enix, one of the most influential entities in the RPG genre. Final Fantasy is a storied franchise that has been pivotal in shaping role-playing games, known for its epic narratives, intricate gameplay mechanics, and memorable characters. Each installment often stands alone with its unique world and story, which allows newcomers to jump in without necessarily having played previous games in the series. Final Fantasy XVI continues this tradition, offering cutting-edge graphics and an immersive gameplay experience on the PlayStation 5, with a PC release forthcoming.