Episode Gladiolus

Episode Gladiolus is... fine. There's not really much to dig into here besides a linear path of enemy encounters and a very simplistic story about overcoming a trial to become stronger.

It was neat to see a teeny bit of a switch up in regards to how Gladio's combat plays as opposed to Noct. His is much more centered around timing your blocks so that you can retaliate with a parry attack. I typically enjoy systems like this when they're executed well but I found Gladio too slow for my tastes. The block animation was difficult to bring up in time and I'd often end up either getting caught out in the middle of an attack animation or standing around forever trying to bait an attack from the enemy so I could parry. The difference in combat system vs the base game really isn't enough to make this worth playing by itself.

The story doesn't really do much to add onto Final Fantasy XV either, other than fill in the gap of time where Gladio leaves the party and to give some extra lore for Cor. I can't say I was really fiending for either of those, so I wasn't particularly impressed, but I suppose it helps this remain a tightly paced (somewhat) standalone story episode, so it has that going for it.

I don't think this is required playing, even for fans of the base game, but I also don't regret the time I spent playing through it.

Hack & Slash - After facing defeat at the hands of Ravus, Gladiolus heads out to attain greater strength in order to become the ultimate Shield for Noctis.

PROS:

++ Provided context. Shows us what Gladiolus was doing when he temporarily left the party.

++ Further characterization. Gives us further insight on who Cor the Immortal was (I wish Cor had a more prominent role in the main story), and demonstrated the depths of Gladio's loyalty and desire to protect Noctis and fulfill his role of being his Shield.

++ Boss fights. The final boss battle with Gilgamesh was solid, and the final trial in which you spar with Cor was equally challenging and great.

CONS:

-- Combat. The combat wasn't terrible or anything, but it wasn't particularly different from Noctis'. Though Gladio's attacks felt stronger, it just felt like a slower, less mobile version of Noctis when he used heavy weapons.

-- Length. Can finish this DLC in less than 1 hour, with very little reason to replay it ever again.