Final Fantasy XVI’s Echoes of the Fallen DLC got a surprise release during The Game Awards in December. It’s the first major story expansion to the game and was developed by Square Enix’s Creative Business Unit 3. It’s on the short side compared to the main story, as it’s only about four to five hours long, and offers a narrative that delves into the backstory of the Fallen. As an ancient and technologically advanced civilization, they got their name as they incurred the wrath of the gods – forming the basis for a supplementary episode that explores the mysterious dusk crystals and the repercussions of what the Fallen did, essentially setting the scene for later expansions.
Echoes of the Fallen excels in its environmental art, with a new dungeon that showcases the development team’s prowess in creating a visually stunning Fallen tower that inspires awe. The music, composed by Masayoshi Soken, continues to be a highlight in this DLC, evolving the original themes of the base game and enhancing the overall experience. However, the narrative falls short of emotional depth, emphasizing gameplay over storytelling even though it’s not that long of a story to begin with. It’s important to note that Echoes of the Fallen unfolds as an endgame-focused mission, requiring players to have completed the main story’s “Back to their Origin” objective and the “Priceless” sidequest.
In terms of gameplay, the DLC introduces a decent degree of challenge, especially in the boss battles that are included, emphasizing the combat experience. The boss design, animations, and overall aesthetic contribute to making these memorable encounters, with the final battle standing out as one of the game’s best fights yet. The expansion also includes the iconic Buster Sword from Final Fantasy VII and the Orchestrion Roll as bonuses for long time Final Fantasy fans.
Despite the strengths in combat and visuals, Echoes of the Fallen feels more an appetizer for what’s to come than a substantial addition. Rather than offering significant new elements, it’s more like a continuation of the main game at this point, and might leave players wanting more rather than feeling satisfied. The absence of additional secrets, areas, or hunts doesn’t help in that sense. There’s a handful of new equipment available, but if you were happy with what you had then there’s little appeal to the content on offer.
In summary, Echoes of the Fallen successfully introduces endgame content to Final Fantasy XVI, with a visually spectacular dungeon experience and challenging boss battles. While the narrative may not be the focal point and can feel underwhelming as a result, the expansion serves as a worthy addition for fans eager to explore the lore of Valisthea and engage in high-stakes combat. The DLC’s brevity and lack of substantial new elements may leave some players wanting more though, with expectations turned toward the upcoming expansion, The Rising Tide.
Score: 8.0/10
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