Stranger of Paradise 'Wanderer of the Rift' expansion overview and launch trailer

Square Enix has posted a new launch trailer for ‘Wanderers of the Rift,’ a new expansion for Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin. Here, we see Jack and company unfurl a new Lufeinian plot and cross blades with none other than the interdimensional wanderer himself: Gilgamesh.

You’ll be doing more than battling on big bridges, it seems. According to the latest Square Enix blog, this expansion will also include a Rift Labyrinth which strings together short, randomized dungeons. A new Blue Mage job is available in the Rift Labyrinth, and abilities can be used with the right trigger. A new Dimension Bringer ability lets Jack slow down time and dish out extra damage. Monster Bells can be utilized here to have monsters battle at your side, which may be useful when you take on new Chaotic Monsters that are tougher than other variations but have greater rewards.

A ‘Gilgamesh’ difficulty mode will be unlocked by completing the first expansion ‘Trials of the Dragon King‘ and features higher enemy levels than previous content. Equipment found here and appraised by a Tonberry blacksmith may have special blessings from summons that increase their capability.

To access this expansion, you’ll need the Season Pass, which will include the third, upcoming ‘Different Future’ expansion.

Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin is now available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and the Epic Games Store.

Wanderer of the Rift — Launch Trailer

New Character — Gilgamesh


It’s Gilgamesh! Able to wander freely between dimensions, Gilgamesh’s very existence is an oddity.

He rises to challenge Jack and his comrades, bringing chaos to the world. Wielding swords and spears in both hands, Gilgamesh battles Jack and his comrades with an abundance of dynamic attacks. When the time comes he may even use his fabled missile…

But Gilgamesh isn’t the only addition coming in Wanderer of the Rift…

New Gameplay — The Rift Labyrinth


A strange labyrinth also manifested when Gilgamesh appeared in Jack’s world: the Rift Labyrinth!

A new story plays out as you conquer a series of randomly constructed short dungeons.

New Job — Blue Mage


We all know STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN’s main man is a Jack of all trades – White Mage, Black Mage, Monk, Dragoon, Thief… he can do it all.

Now he has another job to add to his repertoire: Blue Mage!

The Blue Mage job is unlocked after progressing a certain way through the Rift Labyrinth. It lets Jack learn enemy abilities and turn them into his own powers.

When playing as a Blue Mage, you can push R2/RT to use Blue Magic when these instant abilities are available. Holding down the button lets you charge them up for an even more powerful attack.

This makes it possible to activate instant abilities without using up charges, and power them up with MP.

New Command Ability — Dimension Bringer


Dimension Bringer is a new command ability that Jack can learn in WANDERER OF THE RIFT.

Once activated, enemies in the vicinity will be slowed and the damage the player inflicts will increase each time an action ability is used.

While the effect is active, a special attack can be used in place of Soul Shield. Unleash the special attack and rapidly take down the foe with combos.

New Difficulty Level — ‘GILGAMESH’


WANDERER OF THE RIFT adds a brand new difficulty level to the game: GILGAMESH!

GILGAMESH difficulty is only playable if you’ve completed the TRIALS OF THE DRAGON KING, and it adds a whole new level of challenge to the game. Enemy levels are raised further, meaning that even more fearsome foes will appear to threaten Jack and friends.

When playing on GILGAMESH difficulty, you can obtain special relic equipment that comes with Summon Blessings attached – various special effects received from the blessings of summons like Odin, Ifrit and Bahamut. Equipping this equipment will improve your character’s capabilities based on the blessing value.

These blessings can be obtained by appraising relic equipment at the Tonberry Blacksmith.

…what, you thought because they carry a chef’s knife, they could only work in the catering industry? It’s that kind of assumption that could make someone hold a grudge…

New — Tonberry Blacksmith


You read that right – WANDERER OF THE RIFT adds a Tonberry Blacksmith to the game!

…what, you thought because they carry a chef’s knife, they could only work in the catering industry? It’s that kind of assumption that could make someone hold a grudge…

New Item — Monster Bells


Since the world of STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN is dangerous, it’s good to have a little help from time to time. In that respect, Monster Bells are just the thing!

These are items that let you instantaneously call up a monster to support you during battle.

To receive the support of a monster, you first need to find a Summonstone and then complete a special event with that monster.

You can increase your affinity with the monster through conversations, feeding it and using items.

When your affinity level increases sufficiently, you will receive Monster Bells that can be used in battle to temporarily call up the monster to fight for you.

New Threat — Chaotic Monsters


When playing on the “GILGAMESH” difficulty level, monsters infused with Chaotic energy can occasionally appear in all missions, including the Rift Labyrinth. These are called “Chaotic Monsters”.

Chaotic status is indicated by the crown icon at the start of the monster’s name. These Chaotic Monsters are more dangerous than standard monsters of the same type – but they can earn you greater rewards when defeated.

As you can see, the new content expands STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN in a pretty dramatic way!


About the Author

Tony Garsow Tony joined Nova Crystallis in 2015, and has spent more than a decade writing in the Final Fantasy community. He also contributes to the Nova Crystallis Twitch and YouTube channels, where you can watch select gameplay highlights, previews, and streams.

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