'Final Fantasy XV: Episode Gladiolus' Fact Sheet Details Backstory, New Area And More

With less than a week to go before its March 28 release date, Square Enix released a official fact sheet for Final Fantasy XV: Episode Gladiolus, with new information about the DLC’s plot, combat, special items, two new gameplay modes and more.

While we’ve known the broad outlines of Episode Gladiolus’ story for some time, some features of the DLC will catch the eye of FFXV fans. The first of these is a new environment, not previously accessible in the main game. It’s not clear at this point if this is simply a dungeon, part of Gilgamesh’s trial as seen in previously released gameplay footage, or a whole new region to explore.

READ: 'Final Fantasy 15' Episode Gladiolus DLC Preview: This Is What DLC Was Made For

Episode Gladiolus also boasts two new gameplay modes, Score Attack and Final Trial, which become available upon completing the DLC. Square Enix’s official fact sheet ( via Gematsu ) didn’t provide much detail about either mode, simply saying “ These modes offer an added challenge and high replay value for the player.”

The fact sheet also provides a bit more insight about how combat as Gladio will work, and his fighting style seems to revolve around blocking and parrying enemy attacks at close range. Square Enix also teased that players “can obtain special items that cannot be acquired from the main game.” Hopefully some spiffy new Greatswords and Shields for old Gladdy!

You can check out the full fact sheet below. ( Thanks, Gematsu. )

Final Fantasy XV: Episode Gladiolus

• Availability – PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store
• Pricing – $4.99 (Season Pass also available for $24.99)
• Release – March 28, 2017
• Future DLC
• Episode Prompto (scheduled for June)
• Episode Ignis (release TBD)
• Multiplayer Expansion: Comrades (TBD)

Backstory

After losing to the enemy high commander Ravus, Gladiolus is forced to swallow a bitter pill and face the limitations of his own strength. In order to travel with the Chosen King, he realizes he must also possess a comparable level of power in order to protect him. In the ancient ruins that were found in the Kingdom of Lucis 30 years ago, the spirits of heroes that once served the king await the next generation of warriors.

Gladiolus parts ways with his entourage and meets up with Cor, the sole survivor of the trials. Now, with his mentor at his side, Gladiolus sets out to challenge the Shield of the Founder King: the Blademaster, Gilgamesh.

Features

• Uncover the story told through Gladiolus’ perspective – While Final Fantasy XV focuses on the bond between Noctis and his friends, Episode Gladiolus allows players to find out what happened when Gladiolus leaves the party..
• New exhilarating action battle that matches Gladiolus’s character as the King’s Shield – While the main game’s system was designed around Noctis and his mobility to warp and dodge enemy attacks, Gladiolus fights by blocking and counterattacking with the new “Valor” and “Rage” system.
• New environment – Players can access a new area that was previously not accessible in the main game.
• Obtain special items that can be carried over to the main game – By completing the episode, players can obtain special items that cannot be acquired from the main game.
• New gameplay modes – In addition to the main episode, two additional gameplay modes, “Score Attack” and “Final Trial” are available upon completing the episode. These modes offer an added challenge and high replay value for the player.

Are you looking forward to Gladdy’s DLC? Do you think it will take some getting used to fighting as the King’s Shield instead of Noct? Feel free to chat all things FFXV in the comments.