Summary
Final Fantasy 16really shook things up for theFinal Fantasyfranchise by being the first true-action RPG of the series and letting go of the turn-based combat it was known for. Additionally, rather than players controlling an entire party, they only control one character,Clive Rosfield, due to his ability to absorb the power of other Eikons as a jack of all trades. Despite all of these changes, its most innovative feature is Active Time Lore, which allows players to keep track of the game’s lore in real time. The system then keeps a record of each stage of development for the lore, so players can revisit it at any time. Needless to say, it has left an indelible mark on theFinal Fantasyfranchise, as well as the entire RPG genre. Now, it seems Square Enix is keeping that trend going withFinal Fantasy 16’s latest DLC expansion.
Final Fantasy 16’s Rising Tide DLC has finally been released, which sees Clive, Jill, and Joshua traveling to Mysidia, one of the last few regions in the Northern Territories to remain untouched by the Blight. Mysidia introduces brand-new visuals toFinal Fantasy 16, including a lush landscape teeming with life, unlike the rest of the world’s muted colors. Along with Mysidia comes new bosses and enemies, an original story, and plenty of new side quests. However, there is one feature Rising Tide brings to the table that should arguably be on the radar of every RPG from here on out, and it is directly tied toFinal Fantasy 16’s side quests.
Like Active Time Lore, FF16 Rising Tide’s Quest Fast-Travel Should Be an RPG Staple
While it has yet to be seen in other RPGs, Active Time Lore is one feature ofFinal Fantasy 16’s that should nonetheless become a staple for the genre.Lore-heavy RPGs likeFinal Fantasy 16are often so convoluted that players can have a difficult time keeping all the dots connected. In fact, it was confirmed thatFinal Fantasy 16’s Active Time Lore was added to the game because even the developer couldn’t keep up with its complex lore. Now, one highly useful fast-travel feature introduced inFinal Fantasy 16’s Rising Tide DLC should receive the same treatment.
The Rising Tide introduces a host of new side questsfor players to complete for the people of Haven, and while many of these side quests are arguably uninteresting, the burden of completing them is eased ever so slightly with the addition of a helpful fast-travel feature. Once a side quest is completed inFinal Fantasy 16The Rising Tide, players are given the option to fast-travel back to the quest-giver to turn the quest in. Rather than taking players back to the area in which the quest giver can be found, the feature transports them directly back to the very NPC they are directed to speak with.
While it’s possible for players to fast-travel to the monolith in Haven and then walk to the quest-giver, this new fast-travel feature cuts down on time even more, which is doubly helpful given that Clive can’t be made to sprint in populated areas.
Side quests in modern gaming are infamously divisive, and only a handful of games have managed to nail down the formula for making them both engaging and worth completing. As such, mechanics like The Rising Tide’s side quest fast-travel feature help the whole experience feel a bit more streamlined. There is little reason this same feature shouldn’t be an RPG staple from now on — much likeActive Time Lore— and it continues to proveFinal Fantasy 16’s ability to innovate and set standards for the genre.
Final Fantasy 16
WHERE TO PLAY
An epic dark fantasy world where the fate of the land is decided by the mighty Eikons and the Dominants who wield them.This is the tale of Clive Rosfield, a warrior granted the title “First Shield of Rosaria” and sworn to protect his younger brother Joshua, the dominant of the Phoenix. Before long, Clive will be caught up in a great tragedy and swear revenge on the Dark Eikon Ifrit, a mysterious entity that brings calamity in its wake.
