REVIEW – We return to Valisthea for a new adventure with Clive, continuing the best elements of Final Fantasy XVI in the Echoes of the Fallen, the first DLC now available for Square Enix’s game on PS5. At the latest Game Awards, Square Enix officially unveiled two DLCs for Final Fantasy XVI: Echoes of the Fallen and The Rising Tide. We had the opportunity to explore both downloadable contents and discover their details, but the most surprising part was that the first is already available.

Echoes of the Fallen takes place virtually at the end of Final Fantasy XVI’s story. To play this DLC, you must reach this point (and complete a few related quests).

The Sunset Crystals

It all starts with the discovery of the sunset crystals. Although they provide the same effects as normal pieces (widely used magic), the Dusk Crystals disintegrate after a few uses, prompting Clive and his rebellious group to investigate. They soon discover that the origin lies behind the famous Sotoscuro door (yes, the one that couldn’t be opened in the main game): behind it are the ruins of Empyrean, known as the Wise Tower.

Much of the gameplay in Echoes of the Fallen takes place within another complex structure, serving as a kind of additional dungeon. This refers to what Final Fantasy XVI considers a ‘dungeon’: a completely straightforward space where we advance through battles without exploration opportunities. Along the way, however, we encounter numerous chests (hard to ignore), hiding exciting novelties, especially in terms of accessories. Echoes of the Fallen also offers a variety of accessories called ‘pebbles’, with interesting effects like health restoration upon perfect dodges or enhanced aerial attacks.

The highlight of Echoes of the Fallen, as with Final Fantasy XVI, is the combat scenes. Progressing through the tower, we face several powerful enemies, resulting in thrilling battles, but the climax is the final boss. This fight is spectacularly intense, matching the excitement of the main story’s boss fights (and if you’ve played, you know that’s saying a lot). It’s guaranteed to quicken your pulse and take your breath away. This battle also highlights why Final Fantasy XVI deservedly won the 2023 award for best soundtrack. Soken once again delivers an impressive composition.

Besides that, Echoes of the Fallen doesn’t offer much more. From a story perspective, it provides new insights into the Empyrean civilization and the reasons for its disappearance, while reinforcing Clive’s beliefs. However, don’t expect a complex narrative or significant twists.

How Challenging is Echoes of the Fallen and How Long Does it Last?

Echoes of the Fallen’s challenges integrate into Final Fantasy XVI’s story arc, so the difficulty levels are consistent: story, action, and Final Fantasy modes (the latter available after completing the game once). Playing in action mode, we were pleasantly surprised to find that Echoes of the Fallen presents a real challenge: we failed multiple times, prompting us to observe enemy attack patterns, use healing potions more frequently, and refine our dodging timing.

The final boss, in particular, proved to be a tough nut to crack, arguably even more challenging than any other final boss or optional boss in Final Fantasy XVI. So, if you’re looking for a worthy test of Clive’s iconic abilities, you’ll find it in this DLC.

Echoes of the Fallen can be completed quickly: on average, it takes two to three hours, depending on the number of attempts required in battles. Once you reach the end of the downloadable content, there’s no further motivation to continue playing except for replaying in Final Fantasy mode. Trying out new accessories and re-engaging with the final boss using the Areté Monolith are what may still hold the player’s interest, but beyond that, the DLC doesn’t offer much more.

Price and Available Platforms

Echoes of the Fallen, the first DLC for Final Fantasy XVI, has been available on PS5 since December 8, 2023. In the Hungarian PlayStation Store, the DLC is priced at 3,490 forints. The downloadable content requires the base game of Final Fantasy XVI, either in physical or digital form.

The DLC can be acquired in two ways: alone for 3,490 forints or as part of the Final Fantasy XVI expansion pack, which includes Echoes of the Fallen and the upcoming The Rising Tide. Both versions come with the Buster Sword (Cloud’s iconic weapon from Final Fantasy VII) and a chip-tune version of the song ‘Away’.

Considering its release, it’s not surprising that Echoes of the Fallen doesn’t bring revolutionary changes as a DLC. It seems that The Rising Tide DLC will bring real innovations to Final Fantasy XVI. Despite its short length, the first DLC is good value for money and enjoyable, condensing the best of the main game into a three-hour additional chapter. It’s an ideal choice for fans of FFXVI and the series, especially those who relish the combat scenes.

-Gergely Herpai (BadSector)-

Publisher: Square Enix

Developer: Square Enix

Style: Action-RG

Release: December 8, 2023.