FINAL FANTASY XV - EPISODE GLADIOLUS

Are you not entertained by this first story DLC?

Remember how beefy boy Gladiolus just vanishes at the end of chapter six to take care of some unspecified business? Well, unsurprisingly, this episode fills in the gaps of how he picks up all those gnarly scars while he is off on his jollies. Don’t expect taking control of Gladiolus to be a mere reskin job, though, as he’s bringing a new fighting style to the table.

As he’s more of a brawler than Noctis, the gameplay is closer to a hack ‘n’ slash than the precise art of fencing. You swing his hefty sword with e and block with r, with perfect timing giving you a chance to parry attacks and counter. While it’s obviously not as smooth as Dark Souls’ combat, it’s a fascinating tweak that actually works rather well and fits in with Gladiolus’ physicality.

After some brief exposition, we discover that Gladiolus is heading to the Tempering Grounds, a cave that was discovered 30 years prior to the main story, to take part in the Trial of the Blademaster. Final fanatics will instantly recognise the titular ominous purple spectre as Gilgamesh, who’s making his customary appearance. He’s not the only new enemy lurking down here, with gnarled reanimated corpses called the Soul Of Fortitude springing to life as you journey into the Tempering Grounds. It’s a strong start for FFXV’s continuing adventures.

FINAL FANATICS WILL INSTANTLY RECOGNISE THE TITULAR OMINOUS PURPLE SPECTRE AS GILGAMESH.