Final Fantasy XV: Episode Ardyn

Episode Ardyn is the final add-on for the third-person action RPG Final Fantasy XV. Entirely plot-driven, it is dedicated to the main antagonist of the game – Ardyn Izunia, the Chancellor of the Niflheim Empire. It allows you to play as Ardyn and experience a completely different gameplay. It concludes the story of the main hero Noctis and his friends.

The character appears throughout Final Fantasy XV and subsequent story add-ons but is only playable in Episode Ardyn. The basic mechanics have not changed, Ardyn switches between different weapons, uses his magical abilities, and summons Ifrit.

However, playing as Ardyn is easier than playing as Noctis and his companions, as he uses all his demonic powers and the power of the Chosen One in battle. For example, after landing five successful hits in a row, he can perform a special attack "Demonification," instantly killing the enemy (except for bosses).

He possesses high movement speed and can teleport to a desired point using the "Shadow Move" ability (also used for backstabbing). He can turn enemies into demons, converting them to his side while restoring his own strength.

If Ardyn's health drops to zero, he does not die but automatically exits the "danger" state – his attack power increases, but each missed hit will reduce his maximum health, and if it falls to zero, the game will end. To avoid this, he can drain the life force of enemies.

Shortly before the release of Episode Ardyn, Square Enix released an anime that serves as a prequel to this add-on. It is available in Russian and reveals many important details.

2000 years before the events of Final Fantasy XV, the world of Eos awaited the appearance of a king and the future founder of the first Kingdom, who was to be chosen by the Astral gods. The Oracle – a girl named Era – was to announce their decision.

In those times, the world suffered from the demonic Star Scourge. Anyone who contracted it turned into a demon. There were two contenders for the throne – Ardyn and Somnus, the elder and younger brothers of the Lucis Caelum line.

Ardyn lived among ordinary people and dedicated himself to healing the sick, absorbing their scourge into himself. The younger brother, Somnus, was arrogant and ambitious, achieving results by any means and lived almost like the appointed King. He gathered and burned people infected with the Scourge but was a determined and valiant warrior.

Envious of his elder brother, Somnus deceitfully lures him to the magical Crystal, where he accuses him of treason, declares him a demon, and attacks. Ardyn struggles to contain his tainted inner self, but when Somnus kills his beloved Era during the fight, he transforms into a demon in a fit of rage and vengeance.

Learning that the gods rejected his candidacy due to the scourge infection, Ardyn vows to take revenge and destroy everything Somnus creates. Although the younger brother wins, he is unable to destroy Ardyn, as the demonic powers have made him immortal.

The events of Episode Ardyn begin long before Final Fantasy XV. After spending several millennia in confinement, Ardyn breaks free. Придя в себя в Нифльхейме и осознав, как долго он провел в темнице, куда заточил его брат, Ардин немедленно бросается уничтожать королевство Люцис.

В дополнении можно встретить всех ключевых персонажей оригинальной игры, включая Ноктиса с тремя его друзьями, короля Региса, Короля-основателя Сомнуса, Верстела, а также одного из Астралов. У Ардина нет друзей, так что готовьтесь противостоять полюбившимся персонажам в жестких схватках.

Не будем вдаваться в подробности, чтобы не раскрыть деталей, но Episode Ardyn серьезно дополняет игровую вселенную; объясняет, почему Ардин питает особую ненависть к главному герою Final Fantasy XV, Ноктису; и дает ответ на финал Final Fantasy XV.

Всё действие происходит на трех уровнях, первые два из которых линейны, а третий – небольшой кусочек современного мегаполиса. Локация из нескольких улиц и зданий с элементами вертикальности – можно прыгать по крышам и балконам. Именно тут Адрин сразится со своими противниками, причем ему нужно захватывать вышки.

Прокачка персонажа имеется, но в самом примитивном ключе: Адрин покупает разные шляпы, влияющие на его характеристики. Также можно собирать и продавать предметы, а в автоматах продаются зелья здоровья.