Final Fantasy XV: Episode Ardyn

Episode Ardyn is the final expansion for the third-person action RPG Final Fantasy XV. It is entirely narrative-driven, focusing on the game's main antagonist – Ardyn Izunia, the Chancellor of the Niflheim Empire. It allows players to control Ardyn and experience a completely different gameplay style. It concludes the story of the main hero Noctis and his friends.

The character appears throughout Final Fantasy XV and subsequent story expansions, but is only playable in Episode Ardyn. The basic mechanics remain unchanged; 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 utilizes all his demonic powers and the strength of the Chosen One in battle. For example, after landing five successful hits in a row, he can perform a special attack called "Demonification," instantly killing an enemy (except bosses).

He possesses high movement speed and can teleport to a desired location using the ability "Shadow Movement" (which is also used for back attacks). He can turn enemies into demons, converting them to his side while restoring his own power.

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

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

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

At that time, the world suffered from the demonic Star Scourge. Anyone who contracted it would turn into a demon. There were two claimants to the throne — Ardyn and Somnus, the elder and younger brothers of the Lucis Caelum line.

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

Envious of his elder brother, Somnus deceitfully calls him to the magical Crystal, where he accuses him of treachery, declares him a demon, and attacks. Ardyn struggles to contain his corrupted nature, but when Somnus kills his beloved, Era, during the fight, he transforms into a demon in a fit of rage and revenge.

Learning that the gods rejected his candidacy due to his corruption, Ardyn vows to take revenge and destroy everything Somnus creates. And although the younger brother emerges victorious, he cannot 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 captivity, Ardyn breaks free. Awakening in Niflheim and realizing how long he has been imprisoned by his brother, Ardyn immediately sets out to destroy the kingdom of Lucis.

In the expansion, you can encounter all the key characters from the original game, including Noctis with his three friends, King Regis, the Founder King Somnus, Verstael, as well as one of the Astrals. Ardyn has no friends, so be prepared to face beloved characters in tough battles.

We won’t go into details to avoid spoilers, but Episode Ardyn significantly enriches the game universe; it explains why Ardyn harbors a particular hatred for the main character of Final Fantasy XV, Noctis; and provides an answer to the ending of Final Fantasy XV.

All the action takes place on three levels, the first two of which are linear, while the third is a small piece of a modern metropolis. The location consists of several streets and buildings with vertical elements – you can jump across roofs and balconies. It is here that Ardyn will fight his opponents, and he needs to capture towers.

Character leveling is available, but in the most primitive way: Ardyn buys different hats that affect his stats. You can also collect and sell items, and health potions are sold in vending machines.