All configurations will require Windows 10/11 64-bit, DirectX 12, and 170 GB of available installation space. A solid-state drive is also mandatory. At the very minimum, you’ll need an AMD Ryzen 5 1600 or Intel Core i5-8400, 16 GB RAM, and either a Radeon RX 5700, an Intel Arc A580 or an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070. This will deliver 720p/30 FPS gameplay.

Recommended requirements include a Ryzen 7 5700X or Core i7-10700, 16 GB of RAM, and a Radeon RX 6700 XT or GeForce RTX 2080 for 1080p/60 FPS. Requirements for 4K have yet to be confirmed, so stay tuned for further details.

Final Fantasy 16 is available on September 17th for PC, with the Standard Edition costing $49.99. Meanwhile, the Complete Edition with both expansions costs $69.99 and includes Echoes of the Fallen and The Rising Tide.

Final Fantasy 16 will be sold on Steam and Epic Games Store for a price of $49.99, lower than the $70 price tag it launched on the PS5 for- though given the fact that the game is over a year old, that was perhaps to be expected.

Meanwhile, Square Enix is also offering a Complete Edition that will cost $69.99. As producer Naoki Yoshida confirmed a while back, in addition to the base game, the Complete Edition will will also include both post-launch expansions- Echoes of the Fallen and The Rising Tide. 

A demo of Final Fantasy 16 is also available now, which is something else that was previously suggested by its developers. The demo will allow players to play through the game’s opening section, and yes, you will be allowed to carry over your save data into the full game. 

Final Fantasy 16 is coming to PC on September 17. It’s currently available on PS5, with leaks suggesting that it’s headed to Xbox Series X/S as well. Read our review of the original release through here.

After completing the main quest and indulging in a few side quests, The Rising Tide feels like the true end to Clive’s journey, which is sad in a way because it does a pretty good job with its plot. It presents such a compelling standalone tale wrapped in real twists and turns, backed by well-written new characters and excellent boss fights, weaving them into the overall lore that it’s a shame further stories like this aren’t in the works. At least, not presently.

"Unlike the dreary and blight-ridden regions of Valisthea, Mysidia is lush and vibrant, with extensive forestation and clear blue skies."

Available just before the final story mission, The Rising Tide sees Clive and friends receiving a request from an unknown individual to save Leviathan’s Dominant, despite not hearing about them for nearly 100 years (earning it the name “Leviathan the Lost”). Their interest piqued, they venture to Northreach and rendezvous with the new character Shula, whose clan also went missing around the same time, and venture together to Mysidia.

The overall pacing of the main quest is great, and while it may feel somewhat short, I’ll take well-executed emotional beats and genuine surprises over something with too much padding. Furthermore, it ties back to the base game in some unexpected ways. Perhaps the only real shortcoming is that one of Clive’s companions doesn’t do anything in the story or have that much involvement. No spoilers, but you can probably guess who based on screenshots released thus far.

I also didn’t think the characters needed to try and “justify” the DLC’s existence. It comes about naturally and ties into another key occurrence during the main quest, so it makes sense for the cast to at least touch on it. However, by that point, it felt like the story stood out enough based on everything else. Though a minor quibble that doesn’t detract from the experience one iota, it still stood out for me.

Unlike the dreary and blight-ridden regions of Valisthea, Mysidia is lush and vibrant, with extensive forestation and clear blue skies. The sweeping waterfalls and cliffs make you want to stop and admire the environment when you’re not fighting for your life. The art and graphics teams have flexed their talents throughout development, but the brighter color palette feels like a revelation for Final Fantasy 16.

"Another great thing about Mysidia is how the characters approach Clive. There’s a curiosity and wonder, especially since he is their first outsider in years, and it influences the different side quests."

Some sights – like the Surge, an enormous, seemingly frozen tidal wave – are awe-inspiring, but even Haven, the quaint village where the Motes of Light reside, is gorgeous. The atmosphere and calm as various NPCs go about their business is a refreshing departure from everything happening back on the mainland. Performance is also pretty decent – obviously, there are still frame drops on Performance Mode, so if not having a consistent 60 FPS annoys you, then be warned.

Another great thing about Mysidia is how the characters approach Clive. There’s a curiosity and wonder, especially since he is their first outsider in years, and it influences the different side quests. Though you shouldn’t expect anything out of the ordinary with the latter – go here and there to collect something or slay some monsters – the writing and voice acting in these are good.

They introduce you to all the different NPCs, weave some pretty taut and enjoyable tales (which aren’t afraid to get a little silly) and expand on Haven’s lore. One such side quest showcased the treatment of Bearers versus their state in Valisthea without beating you over the head with it. Some more unique mechanics to the side quests or at least a new mini-game would have been nice, though how extensive it could get, given the overall size of the region, is questionable. Then again, while a card game or something similar wouldn’t have worked in the base game, Haven’s general vibe could have made it work.

As for other characters, Shula is a notable addition to the crew, mixing deadpan delivery with dry wit. The evolution of her behavior is also well done, going from guarded and skeptical of Clive (especially given his outlaw status) to slowly opening up and showing her soft side when discussing Leviathan’s Dominant. The subtle shifts in tone with the voice acting, from being taciturn to more snarky but friendly, are stellar in this regard and make her come across more naturally.

"Some enemies, like wolves and spiders, are still easily dispatchable fodder, but the elites and bosses, particularly the story ones, are no joke."

For all its focus on story-telling and setting, The Rising Tide is still very combat-centric. Things kick up a notch once Clive gains Leviathan’s abilities, and they’re unlike anything else in the game. Leviathan is more of a projectile-focused Eikon – Clive’s left arm transforms into a mini-serpent that can fire a shotgun-like spread of water bullets or a stream that explodes on impact.

The former is ideal for building Stagger on bigger foes, but the latter can take out weaker crowds very quickly (leading to amusing instances where you’re just constantly juggling groups of enemies with exploding streams). However, you can’t just fire shots continuously – Leviathan has ammo management and an active reload button. Time the reload properly, and you get infinite ammo for a period, though you can gain some back by perfect dodging at the right time. Furthermore, you get two dodges in a row, with the ability to fire mid-dodge. Surely that extended dodge distance won’t come in handy later.

The Eikonic skills include a machine gun-esque spray, which is, once again, great for building stun and summoning two columns of water orbs to push enemies together before exploding, dealing extensive damage. The latter is once again ideal for slaying hordes but chips away at an enemy’s Stagger gauge pretty well. While the slower movement speed with Leviathan can take some getting used to, dodging twice for greater distance and having more ranged Eikon damage is great.

The development team promised more challenging content with The Rising Tide and wasn’t kidding. Some enemies, like wolves and spiders, are still easily dispatchable fodder, but the elites and bosses, particularly the story ones, are no joke. Hreidmar may feel like a carbon copy of Fafnir, but it covers the arena in degen zones and can potentially take you out if you’re not paying attention. Then there’s the Timekeeper, which you should experience for yourself. Not only does it bring a particular Punishing: Gray Raven boss (or bosses) to mind with one of its mechanics, but tests your ability to precisely dodge at key moments. Also, it looks amazing, which is always a plus.

"Still, it’s a great battle and probably the best Eikon fight yet in terms of gameplay, with its minimal reliance on QTEs and a plethora of mechanics that push players to the brink."

There are other bosses to face, some optional, and in terms of sheer quantity, it’s a step up from Echoes of the Fallen. Granted, more than one Elite Mark would have been ideal, but at least the other bosses make up for it. Also, shout out to the creepy-looking Tonberries and new foes like the Ice Bomb for mixing up certain encounters.

The highlight of all the bosses is undoubtedly the Eikon battle against Leviathan. The fight is visually stunning from start to finish, but also challenging, almost overwhelming you with each subsequent phase. It can get a little ridiculous, especially since Leviathan has not one but two massive area-of-effect attacks involving circles (one seemingly impossible to dodge if you don’t know what to do) and a damage check.

The latter is funny because while I can understand the intent, it’ll probably lead to failure once or twice (which triggers an instant game-over). Still, it’s a great battle and probably the best Eikon fight yet in terms of gameplay, with its minimal reliance on QTEs and a plethora of mechanics that push players to the brink.

Once you’ve cleared The Rising Tide, a new end-game activity opens up – Kairos Gate. It’s a run-based sequence of 20 stages (known as circles) with a major boss encounter on every fifth stage, though you can fight some elites and bosses in the others. The regular stages usually toss three waves of enemies, and you’re scored based on Eikonic abilities, damage taken, dodges, counters, combos, and more. Each offers rewards, from new accessories and weapons to materials, and you recover some HP before tackling the next.

"Overall, Kairos Gate is a solid addition to the game that tests your knowledge of different enemies and how best to maximize Eikonic Skills for the highest score."

The twist is that none of your regular gear or weapons is usable – you get a default set with no accessories. Instead, you’re tested based on your Eikonic ability usage, which you can freely change between stages. This is where the new Skill Sets for creating and swapping between Eikonic Skill loadouts come into play.

Clearing each stage gives you Enhancement Points to spend on stat increases for Clive’s damage, defense, health and whatnot, but it’s the Boons where things get interesting. Boon Points allow purchasing buffs like decreased damage taken when below a certain HP percentage, HP regain on precision dodge, increased potency for Limit Breaks and stronger counters (which applies to Eikonic abilities that counter as well, like Garuda and Titan). Certain Boons are ideal for increasing the score bonus or different actions, essential for higher scores and achieving that coveted S rank.

However, all Boons only last for a limited number of Circles, so planning accordingly and knowing when to spend your Boon Points is important. If you’re confident, then you can forgo upgrading Clive’s other stats and go for Boon Potency and Duration instead, maximizing those gains.

If you die, the run ends, and it’s right back to the beginning, with all Enhancements reset. Free Boons with functions similar to the Timely Accessories are available for those who want to see what the stages offer. However, they result in lower overall scores and aren’t eligible for leaderboard placement.

Overall, Kairos Gate is a solid addition to the game that tests your knowledge of different enemies and how best to maximize Eikonic Skills for the highest score. While I would have preferred some randomness to enemies or even modifiers during the battles, this is more of a skill-based challenge, which is fine. There’s one more element to DLC, unlocked after completing its main quest and the base game’s story. While it’s worth discovering yourself, it’s a fun surprise to allow further experimentation with one’s combat abilities. Of course, above all else, it also looks stylish.

"Though it stands firmly on its own, that feeling of one final adventure still resonates throughout, from the callbacks to base game events to referencing other Eikon battles."

Final Fantasy 16: The Rising Tide doesn’t deviate from the base game much in terms of overall design. The main quest still offers plenty of walking through mostly linear areas, battling groups of enemies, then traversing forward and repeating the process. The “dungeons”, as they are, lack any puzzle mechanics or intriguing secrets to uncover, though they look and feel as appropriately epic as possible. As stunning as the visuals and art direction are, the music is especially noteworthy.

One theme has this aura of calm and mystery yet maintains a fast-paced and steady tempo which steadily builds throughout. Then you have Leviathan’s boss theme, another level of epic orchestration with parts of previous themes alongside its unique hooks. Suffice it to say that this is yet another top-tier soundtrack and complements the base game exceptionally well.

Those craving more variety and something wildly different may not gel entirely with The Rising Tide. However, for everyone else who appreciates an action-packed adventure that ties neatly into all the lore while presenting some fun side quests, challenging bosses and fun new abilities to play with, it is everything that I wanted from Echoes of the Fallen and then some.

Though it stands firmly on its own, that feeling of one final adventure still resonates throughout, from the callbacks to base game events to referencing other Eikon battles. Combine all this with the presentation, and The Rising Tide is a fitting send-off to Clive and his friends and fans who stuck with the title.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

Update 1.31 is noteworthy for including several new quality-of-life features, like Quick Complete for instantly teleporting to an NPC to wrap up their quest. There are also Skill Sets for creating loadouts of Eikonic abilities and Feats to swap to when not in combat. Photo Mode receives new tone correction, portrait mode and screen effects, while additional Orchestrion Rolls can be collected.

But wait, there’s more, as the update also buffs several Eikonic abilities and Feats like Blind Justice, Gouge, Wings of Light, Aerial Blast, Ice Age and much more. Several accessories have also had their effectiveness increased. If that weren’t enough, the player’s attack is increased outside of some Eikon battles.

Head here for more details. Final Fantasy 16: The Rising Tide launches on April 18th for PS5. Check out our feature for everything you should know before playing.

Players can acquire new Orchestrion rolls from regional shops, but the combat adjustments are perhaps the most noteworthy. Player attack outside certain Eikon battles is higher, and certain Eikonic Abilities are getting buffs. Ramuh’s Blind Justice now creates two ball lightning instances and can be detonated by pressing the Feat button instead of with attacks.

When using Bahamut’s Wings of Light, you’ll dodge upon starting it and cancelling it will deplete the gauge to the next level. You can also initiate a Megaflare Dodge upon dodging attacks in Wings of Light. Garuda’s Gouge now deals more damage and Will damage while its recast time is lower, while Aerial Blast deals more damage and dispels some ranged magic attacks.

Check out some of the patch notes below and full details here. Final Fantasy 16: The Rising Tide goes live on April 18th for PS5, with Version 1.31 required to purchase and install the DLC. Head here for more details on what to expect from the former.

Version 1.31

The following content is available to all players:

Additional In-game Content

• Orchestrion rolls added to regional shops.
• Rolls available depend on main scenario progress.

Battle Adjustments

• Player ATK increased outside of select Eikon battles.
• Quality of life UI additions made in certain Eikon battles.

Eikonic Ability & Feat Adjustments

• Two instances of ball lightning will fire when exacting Ramuh’s Eikonic Feat Blind Justice.
• Ball lightning affixed to enemies is now detonated via the feat button rather than attacking.
• Clive now moves faster while using Blind Justice.
• Clive can now dodge while using Blind Justice.
• Clive recovers poise more quickly after exacting Blind Justice.
• When canceling Bahamut’s Eikonic Feat Wings of Light, the Megaflare charge will only deplete to the next gauge level.
• A dodge is conducted when initiating Wings of Light.
• Successfully dodging an enemy attack when initiating Wings of Light will trigger a Megaflare Dodge.
• Parry animation when using Odin’s Eikonic Feat Arm of Darkness has been changed.
• The minimum jump height for initiating Stomp has been lowered.
• The direction Clive faces after using Swift Recovery has been adjusted.
• Limit Break attacks now lift enemies instead of knocking them back.
• Gouge damage is increased.
• Gouge will damage is increased.
• Gouge recast time is reduced.
• Aerial Blast now dispels certain ranged magic attacks.
• Aerial Blast will damage is increased.
• Windup area of effect is increased.
• Earthen Fury recast time is reduced.
• Flare Breath now dispels certain ranged magic attacks.
• Flare Breath now lifts enemies instead of knocking them back when canceling the ability.
• Flare Breath damage is increased.
• Satellite damage is increased.
• Satellite recast time is reduced.
• Satellite will damage is increased.
• Ice Age damage is increased.
• Ice Age will damage is increased.
• Ice crystal generated when using Rime will now better draw in nearby enemies.
• Rime will damage is increased.
• Gungnir recast time is reduced.
• Gungnir will damage is increased.
• Heaven’s Cloud chained follow-up attacks can now be focused on a single enemy by locking on to the enemy.
• Heaven’s Cloud will damage is increased.
• Heaven’s Cloud recast time is reduced.

Accessory Adjustments

Effectiveness of the following accessories has been improved:

• Favor of Wind (Gouge)
• Favor of Wind +1 (Gouge)
• Breath of Earth (Earthen Fury)
• Breath of Earth +1 (Earthen Fury)
• Breath of Darkness (Gungnir)
• Breath of Darkness +1 (Gungnir)
• Breath of Darkness (Heaven’s Cloud)
• Breath of Darkness +1 (Heaven’s Cloud)
• Cavall’s Fang
• Cavall’s Fang +1
• Cavall’s Bite

Other Changes to Actions

• Alleviated rare issue of Clive jumping when accessing objects under certain conditions.
• Made adjustments to when Torgal can be petted and lowered time before re-petting.
• Made adjustments to calculations for amount of damage taken when near death.

Quests

• A “Quick Complete” function has been added, giving players the option to warp directly to a quest-giver upon completing a quest’s final objective.
• A new quest icon has been assigned to quests which reward collectables.
• Ability Point awards for certain sidequests have been increased.
• Additional cutscenes have been added to certain sidequests.
• Minor changes have been made to cutscene staging.
• New NPCs have been added to certain settlements.

System

Added “Custom” controller type.

Go to Controller Layout on the System tab in the Main Menu to freely assign functionality to the buttons on your controller.

Skill Sets have been added.

Players can now save up to 5 skill sets. Swap between sets with L1/R1.

• The following functionality has been added to Photo Mode:
  – Focal Distance adjustability in Depth of Field setting
  – Tone Correction
  – Screen Effects
  – Portrait Mode
  – 90-degree rotation in Roll functionality
• Minor updates and additions to the Thousand Tomes.
• Visual updates to the State of the Realm timeline slider.
• Updates and additions to the UI and various menus.

Mysidia

In The Rising Tide, players venture to a brand new region, Mysidia, described as a “sanctuary for those who know where to look” and a “lost oasis” that the Blight hasn’t touched. As showcased at the PAX East 2024 panel, it’s a lush, vibrant region with dense forests, waterfalls and a part of the ocean in suspended motion. Wonder if that has anything to do with Leviathan? There’s also a new town to visit, ruins – including a section surrounded by a magic dome – and more.

Shula

Of course, players won’t traverse the new region alone. Shula joins Clive on his quest, wielding an axe and matching his height. Little else is known about her, aside from wanting to rescue Leviathan’s Dominant, whom she has a connection with, but the developer did hint at some tragedy in her past.

New Sidequests

Side quests were a bit…lacking in Echoes of the Fallen, never mind the criticism they faced in the base game. The Rising Tide will feature about ten new side quests, the developer confirmed to Famitsu, and some of them even utilize Chocobos.

New and Returning Enemies

A new DLC means new enemies, but RPG fans will also encounter a series staple – Tonberries. These aren’t the cute little lantern-carrying, knife-wielding creatures, though – they look more sinister and menacing. There’s also King Tonberry, who towers over the player and wields a giant sword. Other enemies like Northern Wolves, Eddies, Wily Wolf Traps and more also exist to beat down.

Leviathan Boss Fight

As revealed many months ago, the major boss fight is against Leviathan, the Eikon of Water. The fight is “especially challenging” and “really different” from previous battles. It’s billed as a “final hurrah” for Ifrit, though what that could mean remains to be seen, especially considering the base game’s ending.

New Eikonic Abilities

Leviathan isn’t just there for show – it also provides several new abilities. Its Eikonic Feat is Serpent’s Cry, which turns Clive’s arm into a serpent that dishes out long-range damage. These include abilities like a laser that detonates in an area and a ground slam bringing two rows of water projectiles to crush an enemy. Perhaps the best is standing in one place while Clive fires off several projectiles in a machine gun-like fashion.

Tidal Gauge and Active Reload

The Leviathan abilities function differently than other Eikons, relying on a Tidal Gauge that must be reloaded. One neat addition is an Active Reload mechanic. If you time it right, you can briefly gain unlimited ammo. It’s a cool addition and, based on the PAX East gameplay, synergizes pretty well with existing abilities. Oddly enough, the PlayStation Blog also teased another power that Clive would inherit aside from Leviathan, but we’ll need to wait and see for ourselves.

Kairos Gate

The story and side quests aren’t the only new content in The Rising Tide. It also features a new endgame activity – Kairos Gate. Available at the Arete Stone after finishing the base game and The Rising Tide scenarios, it sees players battling through 20 stages (known as Circles) that increase in difficulty. There are several boss fights to clear, and new materials and weapons are found after each stage. It also supports leaderboards for the competitive-minded

Enhancements and Boons

When clearing a Circle in Kairos Gate, you receive points for Enhancements and Boons. The former requires EP and permanently increases Clive’s maximum HP, Defense, Attack Potency and Eikonic Ability Potency for the mode. However, you also have options to increase the duration and potency of Boons. Boons require BP, and while only lasting for a brief period, they provide powerful perks.

Post-battle HP Recovery will increase the amount of HP restored after completing a Circle. Precision Dodge Slowdown extends the slowdown from a Precision Dodge by 0.3 seconds and stops the Technical Gauge from depleting for five seconds. There are also boons for increasing Aerial Attack damage, score bonuses from Eikonic Abilities and much more.

Secret Boss

Of course, that’s not all, as those who achieve an S rating for each stage of Kairos Gate will unlock a secret stage with a secret boss. Not much else is known, but it’s allegedly an “insane” boss in terms of challenge. The Knights of the Round, perhaps? One can only hope.

Increased Level Cap

To help accommodate these additional challenges, the DLC will also raise the level cap of the Story and Action-Focused Modes, and new game plus mode. The former will go from level 50 to 60 while the latter goes from level 100 to 110.

Playtime

There’s good news for those skeptical about The Rising Tide’s playtime, especially with how short Echoes of the Fallen was. Back in December, the developer confirmed to Famitsu that it’s ten hours long. Given everything we know thus far, it seems like the ideal length for story DLC.

Free Update with Quick Complete, Skill Sets

Those who don’t purchase The Rising Tide will also have something to look forward to. A free update adds essential quality-of-life features like Quick Complete for teleporting to a quest giver to wrap things up and Skill Set for saving up to five sets of Eikonic Abilities and Feats to switch between. No more having to manually rearrange everything, though it only works outside combat (like gear loadouts). Some adjustments will be made to Abilities and Accessories, while Photo Mode will receive new Tone and Screen Effects.

Epilogue Quest

Interestingly, the journey doesn’t end after finishing The Rising Tide. The developer confirmed that an Epilogue quest becomes available after both DLCs are complete. While it serves as a way to thank players, the developer believes they’ll respond with, “Oh, it was like that,” whatever that could mean. Whether it’ll wrap up all of the loose ends in Valisthea is the real question.

Final Final Fantasy 16 DLC (For Now)

Regardless of how good The Rising Tide is, that’s likely it in terms of Final Fantasy 16 DLC. Regarding interest in additional DLC, the developer told Game Informer, “That’s a difficult question. My honest answer is, ‘I don’t know at the moment,’ but at the same time, the possibility isn’t entirely zero. I don’t want to bar any real possibilities at this time. The reason is that we did spend a lot of effort […] and time creating this game […] and we put a lot of cutting-edge technology into this game.”

There’s also the fact that the team wants to take on “a new challenge and move on to a different project – maybe it’s a completely new game, perhaps in a completely new form of entertainment. I feel like, ultimately, that might be the best route for not just the players, but for us as well, too. But again, to reiterate, the possibility of more DLC content for Final Fantasy 16 is not zero.”

The developer also wanted to avoid a Final Fantasy 15-style situation where two DLCs were cancelled. “There were parts of the story you couldn’t get unless you played the DLC. That is something that, from the beginning, we didn’t want to happen for Final Fantasy 16,” they told Noisy Pixel.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

Among the many franchises that Konami has ignored through the years is Suikoden, and though it’s remastering the first two games, the potential next chapter is coming from a completely different studio. Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is a spiritual successor, produced and directed by Yoshitaka Murayama, the driving force behind the first three games (who recently passed away).

It features three core protagonists – Marisa, Seign and Nowa – in the fantasy world of Allraan, where rune-lenses have become a popular commodity. With the Galdean Empire using them to command and conquer, it’s up to the trio to assemble allies from across the land to fight back. Cue over 100 different allies with unique stories and abilities, from the magical girl Mellore and her crew to CJ, Isha and Garoo from Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising.

Combat is turn-based, but battles play out differently based on the environment. If there are cliffs or other elevated positions, they can prove advantageous for long-range party members. This also affects the presentation of battles, giving them a cinematic flair. Players can also unleash Hero Combos to team up and deal devastating damage. On top of this is War Mode, which offers real-time combat over a larger scale, and the Alliance Headquarters, with mini-games and different activities available.

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes launches on April 23rd for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

Phantom Fury

You’re forgiven for not remembering Bombshell, an isometric character action game with a whopping 43 Metascore. Phantom Fury is the follow-up, releasing on April 23rd for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch, but offers first-person shooter gameplay instead. It sees Shelly Harrison on a bombastic journey through the US, battling mutants, cyborgs and enemy soldiers to secure an artifact. While the standard handguns and shotguns are available, Phantom Fury has some unique options – like Bowling Balls and electric foam.

Weapons can be upgraded and modified, while Shelly can eventually unlock new abilities like a shield or punching enemy groups into a fine red mist. It may have some boomer shooter vibes, but with extensive interactivity (including playable arcade machines) and fast-paced combat, it may be a worthy FPS diversion.

Underspace

For many, Freelancer is the pinnacle of sandbox space combat titles, which very few have managed to compete with, much less surpass. While it’s too early to call Underspace a competitor, the prospect of a hand-crafted universe with cosmic horrors and Eldritch creatures to navigate (appropriately named Croft) is too enticing to ignore. Like Freelancer, you can pursue the main quest or be whatever you want, exploring the universe and solving puzzles, battling massive space serpents, interacting with more than 40 factions and venturing into the deepest reaches of space. And yes, you can engage in trade, shipping and piracy with co-op support.

There is a catch, though – Underspace launches on April 10th for PC in early access. The developer has clarified that extensive ship customization, several interiors and questlines, and even cockpit textures won’t be available. Multiplayer is also launching in a “very early state” without many key features. Early access will still offer plenty of campaign content, bosses, enemies, points of interest and more to explore, but further polish is still required. Even with all that in mind, we’re keen to try Underspace and embrace the void.

Sea of Thieves

Rare’s highly successful live service pirate title comes to PS5 as part of Microsoft’s new multi-platform approach. Since launching in March 2018 to a mixed reception, Sea of Thieves has undergone an exceptional transformation over the years, with new content, mechanics, cosmetics and even narrative-focused questlines with Tall Tales (which crossover with the likes of Monkey Island and Pirates of the Caribbean).

Don’t let its cartoony visuals fool you, as Sea of Thieves offers some realistic sailing to go with its combat and exploration. While it still doesn’t have a proper character creator, the new Safer Seas option allows players who don’t want to engage in PvP and explore the seas with their crew at their leisure, with some limitations. It’s out on April 30th for PS5, with Digital Deluxe owners receiving five days early access.

Final Fantasy 16: The Rising Tide

Final Fantasy 16 had a strong start when it launched last year and though its first DLC, Echoes of the Fallen, was pretty short, The Rising Tide looks to redeem it. Players explore a new region, Mysidia, with new locations, side quests and fresh enemies, including Tonberries. The focus of this DLC is on Leviathan, the forgotten Eikon, and along with a boss battle against it, Clive also gains new abilities, including one that has an Active Reload mechanic. An increased level cap is inbound, which should be helpful in the new end-game activity, Kairos’ Gate.

It’s a wave-based survival mode with increasingly tougher enemies and bosses, with new items and weapons as rewards. Beat all of the stages and a new secret boss becomes available. As a send-off to Final Fantasy 16, The Rising Tide is worth looking forward to when it launches on April 18th for PS5. Even for those who aren’t picking it up, a free update will go live, allowing you to create sets of Eikonic Skills, among other quality-of-life improvements.

Stellar Blade

Shift Up calls modern action games an inspiration for Stellar Blade which is pretty clear based on gameplay and the recent demo. Though sci-fi, the Earth is in ruins, and players explore linear levels and semi-open world segments alike, taking on requests while accompanied by a helpful drone.

For all its similarities, however, Stellar Blade offers high-fidelity visuals and detail with a crisp frame rate, and unique combat mechanics that mix Sekiro-like parrying with special attacks, perfect dodges and combos. The main campaign promises to last about 25 hours, with plenty of collectibles and unlockables to discover. Time will tell if Stellar Blade can rise further beyond its inspiration when it launches on April 26th for PS5, but so far, it’s looking good.

Tales of Kenzera: ZAU

From smaller titles from relatively lesser-known developers to triple-A level games like Immortals of Aveum and Wild Hearts, the EA Originals label has seemingly come full circle with Tales of Kenzera: ZAU. The story involves a boy reading a tale by his late father about Zau, who explores the land of Kenzera.

As a 2.5D Metroid-style game, there are some stunning visuals with beautifully realized environments to go with fast-paced combat. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU promises to be a perfect encapsulation of what grief is when it launches on April 23rd for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PC and Nintendo Switch.

Dead Island 2: SoLA Expansion

2023’s excellent Dead Island 2 received an expansion back in November of last year. Now it’s all set to released another one in the form of SoLA. Releasing on April 17, this expansion will takes players to a music festival in the heart of LA. Apparently, this festival is turning everyone into zombies. The SoLA expansion promises an interesting setup, so we are intrigued to see how it pans when we go hands on with it later this month.

TopSpin 2K25

It’s been over 13 years since the last entry in the acclaimed Top Spin franchise, but the wait is nearly over as TopSpin 2K25 nears release. Legends like Roger Federer and Serena Williams headline the 24-player roster with true-to-life venues like La Caja Mágica, Pala Alpitour and Foro Italico, and online multiplayer with cross-platform support. Solo players can venture into MyCareer and fight to become Grand Slam Champion, with MyPlayer offering an extensive range of options to customize your appearance, gear and more. TopSpin 2K25 launches on April 26th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5 and PC.

Gigantic: Rampage Edition

Launched in 2017, Motiga’s Gigantic is making an unexpected comeback with Gigantic: Rampage Edition. Developed by abstraction and published by Gearbox for $19.99, it features the same MOBA-style gameplay loop, with teams of five players working together to take out the opposing Guardian. However, all microtransactions are now removed, with cosmetics acquired through gameplay.

It also adds two new heroes and maps, a new game mode called Rush and cross-platform play. Ranked Mode and additional hero skins are coming in post-launch updates. Gigantic: Rampage Edition launches on April 9th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC, and regardless of its long-term success, it’s good to see it return.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants

Playing like the Konami classics of old, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants features Turtle Power that builds upon defeating enemies and can unleash powerful screen-clearing attacks. Local co-op is supported for four players, on top of the original stages and boss fights, though Wrath of the Mutants adds three more stages and six new bosses. Launching on April 23rd, it could offer some fun for those who want more TMNT brawling action.

Freedom Planet 2

Following extensive acclaim with its PC version, Freedom Planet 2 is out now on Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on April 4th. The action platformer offers a new threat with Merga, the water dragon, and four characters – Lilac, Carol and Milla from the first game, and the now-playable Neera. Adventure Mode offers a mix of story cutscenes and a world map to explore, while Classic Mode focuses on the stages alone.

Boss fights are even more over-the-top than the first game – with the new Battlesphere Arena offering an extensive range of optional challenges. Thankfully, new Potions, Amulets and Charms can provide some buffs for one’s character, while a revival system offers a risky second chance. If you enjoy 2D Sonic the Hedgehog titles or want a fun action platformer, Freedom Planet 2 is well worth the time.

Inkbound

Roguelike turn-based combat in a universe where books act as worlds to be explored by the creators of Monster Train? That’s Inkbound in a nutshell, but there’s more. The combat allows free movement from players, but during online play, you can coordinate and act simultaneously with up to three other players. There are also several character classes, abilities and upgrades, hundreds of items and more to make each run feel fresh. Inkbound is currently in early access, but version 1.0 is out on April 10th for PC, adding new cutscenes, cosmetics and other content.

Sand Land

As set in a desert world, players control Beelzebub in SAND LAND, who ventures with Thief and Sheriff Rao to discover the Legendary Spring.

Though it’s an action RPG, the focus is on vehicle design, as players cobble together tanks, bikes and jump-bots from various parts depending on the need. The sense of adventure and aesthetic, alongside the combat, set it apart from the crowd, and we’re curious to witness the Sand Land’s world when the game launches on April 26th for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Braid Anniversary Edition

The classic side-scrolling indie platformer from Thekla Inc. returns with updated visuals and gorgeous new backgrounds (with the old art style available to switch to at any time). However, there’s more to Braid Anniversary Edition than revamped sound effects, revised tracks, or the +15-hour developer commentary and interviews which discuss the design. It also features 35 new levels with new puzzles, though other additions remain to be revealed.

Hilariously, only four or five new levels were to be added before things got out of hand. Either way, Braid Anniversary Edition should satisfy long-time fans and draw in new ones when it launches on April 30th for Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PC.

When the DLC drops, Story-Focused Mode and Action-Focused Mode players can reach level 60, while those in Final Fantasy Mode (New Game+) can hit level 110. The current caps are level 50 and 100 for the modes. It also teases that Leviathan isn’t “the only power” that players can inherit.

If you purchase The Rising Tide or own the Expansion Pass, then you’ll receive a revamped Curtana, used by Final Fantasy 14’s Warrior of Light, and two Orchestrion Rolls – “Torn from the Heavens” and “Through the Maelstrom.” For those who want even more Hideaway music, a free update goes live on the same day as the DLC, adding 40 new Rolls alongside quality-of-life features like Skill Sets and Quest Quick Complete.

Final Fantasy 16: The Rising Tide launches on April 18th for PS5. Those who finish it and Echoes of the Fallen can also unlock an Epilogue quest – head here for more details.

Interestingly, an Epilogue quest will become available after finishing Echoes of the Fallen and The Rising Tide. It’s meant to thank players, with game director Hiroshi Takai feeling players will respond with, “Oh, it was like that”, per Genki on Twitter. Nothing else is known for now, so stay tuned for more details. The Rising Tide is estimated to last 10 hours, and along with a new story, it also features a new survival mode called Kairos Gate.

Players will battle through 20 stages of increasing difficulty, earning points to improve their skills and earning new items and weapons from each. There will also be several boss fights, and for those who score S Rank on Final Fantasy difficulty, a secret stage and boss also await.

Final Fantasy 16 is available for PS5, but a PC version is in the works, with both DLC included. Square Enix will also release a demo before its launch.

FF16 DLC Director Kujiraoka says there will be an epilogue side quest that appears if you complete the two FF16 DLCs!

He says it will be a comprehensive epilogue as a way of saying "thank you" to those who have played both DLCs.

Director Takai says it’s a quest that will make… pic.twitter.com/W8MdfAy1FU

— Genki✨ (@Genki_JPN) March 23, 2024

More specifically, Yoshida has confirmed that both of Final Fantasy 16’s expansions – Echoes of the Fallen and the upcoming The Rising Tide – will also be available to PC audiences when the game launches on the platform. According to Yoshida, Square Enix will offer “several versions” of the game, one of which will include both expansions. Presumably, this edition will be costlier than purchasing just the base game.

Meanwhile, Yoshida also reiterated that prior to Final Fantasy 16’s PC launch, Square Enix will also be sharing more information on its system specifications, in addition to releasing a free demo.

Recently, plenty of new details were unveiled on the action RPG’s second and final paid expansion, The Rising Tide. Due out for PS5 on April 18, it will take players to a new location in Mysidia, where Clive and company will be taking on Leviathan in battle. The expansion will also feature a new endgame survival mode, and its release will be accompanied by a new free update for the base game.

Meanwhile, Final Fantasy 14’s crossover quest with Final Fantasy 16 will go live on April 2.