Final Fantasy XV's villainous 'Episode Ardyn' launches in March

Recently, Square Enix announced that Episode Noctis and more expansions for Final Fantasy XV had been cancelled due to substantial losses at the company. A few months ago, Square Enix hosted its latest earnings call in which executives acknowledged that the publisher lost $33 million. Furthermore, Final Fantasy XV director Hajime Tabata announced his resignation.

However, the last piece of Final Fantasy XV's epic story should launch on March 26 and features a villainous story. The chapter, titled "Episode Ardyn," focuses on the dastardly mastermind behind the events of the game. However, instead of simply being evil, the episode explains why he hates the protagonist and his family so much.

Set 35 years before the events of Final Fantasy XV, players will follow the notorious villain through being freed from a life of imprisonment and entering the world of darkness. You'll be able to utilize Ardyn's powers that give him superior combat abilities and allow him to fly freely across the map.

Square Enix said that the episode can be purchased by anyone who owns the base game. It's unclear if owners of the Royal Edition or season pass will get it for free. We'll keep you posted as soon as we know more.

In our review of Final Fantasy XV, we said the game "mostly delivers. While it takes some getting used to, its combat is infectious and fun. Its artwork is utterly breathtaking, and some of its set pieces are awe-inspiring. Its characters are fun and memorable, and the plot is engaging enough to keep pushing you forward."

Asher Madan

Asher Madan handles gaming news for Windows Central. Before joining Windows Central in 2017, Asher worked for a number of different gaming outlets. He has a background in medical science and is passionate about all forms of entertainment, cooking, and antiquing.