Summary
Minor spoilers for Final Fantasy 16 and Echoes of the Fallen DLCSquare Enix’sFinal Fantasy 16is the most recent entry in the cherished series. One of the most popular and long-running RPGs in gaming history,FFhas an enormous wealth of content to draw inspiration from, not only from its own extensive past, but the genre at large. As the franchise iterated with each entry, testing out new mechanics and tactics while keeping much of the core design intact,Final Fantasy 16went one step further in its evolution and vision.
With its shift to real-time third-person combat similar toGod of WarorDevil May Cry, and putting less emphasis on multiple swappable party members in favor of a single main character,Final Fantasy 16was the biggest departure for the series.FF 16reinvented itself for modern sensibilities, yet crucially, still unmistakably feels like a genuineFinal Fantasyexperience. With its first of two DLCs,Echoes of the Fallen, shadow-dropped during The Game Awards this year,FF 16fans were given an unexpected and pleasant surprise.Echoes of the Fallenis structured around a specific traditional mission type that those familiar with the genre will easily recognize.
Final Fantasy 16producer Naoki Yoshida originally stated that there were no plans forFF 16DLC content. However, at this time,Echoes of the Fallenand the upcomingRising TideDLChave changed the situation.
Final Fantasy 16’s Echoes of the Fallen DLC Evokes a Classic RPG Quest Type
The “Tower Climb” Quest
What might be called “Tower Climb"missions in RPGsare essentially gauntlets. Most often optional side dungeons (though not uncommon to be included in the main campaign), a tower climb sees players facing increasing amounts of waves of progressively difficult enemies through multiple sections. These are usually separated by mini-boss encounters after surviving a certain number of portions. Players must then push forward and repeat the process until they reach the top of the literal or metaphorical tower. Whereupon the quest culminates in a final boss fight, meant to test everything players have seen and learned, and utilize any new items or abilities earned along the way.
Some notable Tower Climbs:
Echoes of the Fallen is an Expertly Designed Modern Tower Climb
Final Fantasyhas an impressive number of tower climbs throughout its catalog. Square Enix’s more recentOctopath Travelerseries also includes versions of them. WithEchoes of the Fallen,Final Fantasy 16calls back to its idea and presentation by framing the DLC around the structure of one.Echoes of the Fallenseesprotagonist Clive Rosenfieldand his companions tasked with tracking down a lead involving a mysterious new kind of crystal, leading to them having to tackle trekking up an ancient ruined tower.
While mileage may vary on how fun or engaging players find them, tower climbs have long been a staple of RPG quest design.Echoes of the Fallenis a short, but sweet imagining of one in the latestFinal Fantasyentry. Reminiscent of the above examples, it is itself an echo of previously seen ones.Echoes of the Fallenencapsulates a classic tower climb quest experience with all that entails, providing an enjoyable and challenging (though not inordinately so) one for players who do have a fondness for them.
