Final Fantasy XVI Expands With Epic DLC ‘The Rising Tide’; Introduces Fan-Favorite Leviathan and New Challenges

Square Enix has officially announced the release date for Final Fantasy XVI’s second DLC, “The Rising Tide,” launching April 18, 2024, across PlayStation 5. The expansion, teased with an action-packed new trailer, promises to delve deeper into the game’s mythos while bringing back a long-missing fan favorite: Leviathan, the Eikon of Water.

“The Rising Tide” picks up after events in the main story and sends Clive Rosfield on a new journey to the hidden land of Mysidia. There, he must confront the ancient Eikon Leviathan, whose absence in the base game sparked plenty of speculation among fans. With this DLC, Square Enix finally rewards diehard followers with the chance to experience Leviathan in all his oceanic glory—complete with a new Dominant and devastating water-based mechanics.

Along with the return of Leviathan, the expansion introduces new side quests, challenging enemies, and a sprawling new region to explore. The DLC trailer showcases pulse-pounding battles, new cinematic summons, and intricate environments that hint at a deeper lore behind the fallen nation of Mysidia. Longtime fans of the franchise will recognize the name from earlier iconic entries, giving nostalgic players one more reason to return to Valisthea.

Also unveiled is a surprise bonus update for all players, arriving alongside the DLC. This free patch adds new weapon skins, quality-of-life improvements for combat, and a “Quick Retry” feature—highly requested by the community for boss fights and trials.

“The Rising Tide” is expected to be the final major content drop for Final Fantasy XVI, with Square Enix suggesting this arc will wrap up Clive’s journey ahead of whatever’s next for the long-running series. The second DLC is priced at $19.99 standalone or included in the $24.99 Expansion Pass bundle, which also includes the previous DLC, “Echoes of the Fallen.”

As Final Fantasy continues to evolve in its modern, action-oriented direction, “The Rising Tide” looks set to make waves—both literally and figuratively—by marrying spellbinding spectacle with deep lore. Fans eager to rekindle their bond with the Eikons won’t want to miss this last voyage into Valisthea’s turbulent waters.