Remaining Fantasy 16’s (presumably) closing DLC, The Rising Tide, is an enchanting case research on how fan hypothesis can wildly form an viewers’s expectations. On one hand, Sq. Enix and the oldsters at Artistic Enterprise Unit 3 by no means promised this DLC pack would impression the primary storyline of the sport. Nonetheless, prerelease teasers and rumors forward of The Rising Tide’s launch inadvertently fueled the rumor mill a couple of doubtlessly modified or secret ending.
To make a protracted story brief, finishing The Rising Tide won’t change the ending of Remaining Fantasy 16. Nonetheless, it’s price unpacking the the explanation why the hypothesis exists within the first place, because it’s linked to some nifty secrets and techniques on this new marketing campaign.
The next accommodates spoilers for each The Rising Tide and the ending of Remaining Fantasy 16.
What’s the take care of the key Eikon in The Rising Tide?
As teased by the sport itself after you obtain The Rising Tide, Leviathan isn’t the one new toy you get to play with. Whereas it’s not precisely an Eikon, Clive Rosfield can achieve the powers of Remaining Fantasy 16’s large dangerous himself: Ultima.
To unlock Ultima, you’ll must clear the primary story quest of The Rising Tide. This implies defeating Leviathan and seeing the splash display that reads “The Rising Tide Quest Full.” Afterwards, you’ll see a window pop up that reads “An Invitation,” which is able to beckon you again to the Arete Stone in The Hideaway. Go there, and the sequence through which Clive good points Ultima’s powers will play out instantly.
I used to be capable of set off this sequence with out finishing any facet quests in The Rising Tide, so there aren’t any stipulations to talk of there. Nonetheless, in the event you don’t unlock the invitation after defeating Leviathan, ensure you’ve cleared the ultimate boss of Remaining Fantasy 16 and play utilizing the clear knowledge you might be prompted to create after beating the sport. That is additionally required to unlock the Kairos Gate endgame gauntlet.
Now, Clive working round with Ultima’s wings sounds prefer it ought to have notable story implications. In truth, the unique teaser for this characteristic on the finish of The Rising Tide’s trailer is nearly actually what sparked hypothesis that Remaining Fantasy 16’s ending would possibly change. Nonetheless, this second is handled strictly as a neat bonus and is rarely spoken about once more after the very fact. Even utilizing Ultima’s powers within the closing battle doesn’t set off as a lot as a “You’d use my very own powers towards me!?” at any level.
What concerning the particular epilogue quest in The Rising Tide?
That is one other characteristic of The Rising Tide that’s been taken a bit out of context. In case you’ve accomplished Echoes of the Fallen, The Rising Tide, and facet quests involving Shula, an additional quest known as The Water of Life will seem in Mysidia. In case you meet the stipulations, Shula offers you this quest by the water in Haven. You’ll be able to’t miss it.
Observe: You do not want to finish the epilogue to earn the “The Finish Can Wait” trophy. You’ll simply must clear all the opposite out there facet quests as an alternative.
Right here’s the factor: The Water of Life is an epilogue to the DLC tales, not the primary recreation’s story. You’ll see how Echoes of the Fallen connects to The Rising Tide, and also you’ll get some closure involving little Waljas after the entire ordeal with Leviathan. In case you’re an English literature nerd like me, you would possibly draw some parallels between the hunt’s themes of life and loss of life and Remaining Fantasy 16’s ending. Nonetheless, nothing right here explicitly feedback on what occurs after the ending.
Once more, finishing The Water of Life doesn’t change the ending in any manner. There isn’t a lot as an additional splash display within the credit acknowledging Mysidia and its residents. Belief me, I checked.
So does Clive actually die on the finish of Remaining Fantasy 16?
With the above established, it appears the ending of Remaining Fantasy 16 is ready in stone for now. In case you’re nonetheless struggling to interpret Clive’s destiny on the finish, effectively, the builders have deliberately left it so you could possibly just do that, in accordance with an interview with The Gamer. That’s to say, if you wish to consider Clive survives on the finish and goes on to inform his story, nobody can authoritatively let you know in any other case.
That mentioned, if you would like my tackle it…effectively, contemplating Clive says this earlier than the top:
“It appears Ultima’s energy was too nice for this vessel all alongside. However whereas I’ve it…Maybe I can use it to set issues proper…and see Ultima’s legacy – Bearers, Dominants, crystals, magick – consigned to the flames. Even when it means the top of me.”
And Gav says this to the new child baby:
“The world’s yours now. Yours to do with as you please. That’s what Cid wished. That’s what they each wished.”
And the lyrics to the ending music and Jill’s theme, “My Star,” comprise this verse:
“And once I can’t bear the ache
I’ll look as much as the sky and pray
That although our evening is over, you shall at all times stay
Eternally my treasure, my star.”
I imply, Clive appears fairly lifeless to me. Or, on the very least, he’s principally lifeless.