Final Fantasy XV: Episode Gladiolus

 PlayStation 4
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 266 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 208 out of 266
  2. Mixed: 31 out of 266
  3. Negative: 27 out of 266

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  1. anthonypaul
    Feb 9, 2019
    10
    The game focuses on Gladiolus' combat, and in just a minute, it was great already! Knowing how strong this character was, it's ironic how the DLC focuses on the combat, simultaneously telling a short story.
  2. Ffan
    Apr 15, 2017
    10
    If you liked XV, Gladio and Cor, trust me, EPISODE GLADIOLUS is worth the money. For $5, it's a great deal! The DLC is action-packed with a new and awesome strategic combat system. Story wise, it's straight to the point, where Gladio separates from his crew to seek power in a secret dungeon of the world of XV. This will be content added to the main story of the game but from Gladio's andIf you liked XV, Gladio and Cor, trust me, EPISODE GLADIOLUS is worth the money. For $5, it's a great deal! The DLC is action-packed with a new and awesome strategic combat system. Story wise, it's straight to the point, where Gladio separates from his crew to seek power in a secret dungeon of the world of XV. This will be content added to the main story of the game but from Gladio's and Cor's perspective. Last but not least, the music is great, it totally fits Gladio's personality and the dark dungeon setting, and the final boss theme is a masterpiece. On my first playthrough, it took me 2-hours to beat the first trial on Normal Mode. The length of the dungeon is perfect. After you complete the first trial, you unlock extras that will add 2 to 4-hours of extra gameplay (depending on your level of skill and chosen difficulty level), making a total of 4 to 6-hours of gameplay for Gladio's $5 DLC. If you do well, you will win prizes that will pass over to the main game. Beware, the optional super boss is very hard to defeat (which is a great thing), I suggest replaying Score Mode until you have mastered Gladio first. I hope Square Enix continues to add more DLC and updates to FFXV, it's a really good game.… Expand
  3. ultimablade
    Mar 30, 2017
    10
    Well worth the $5 price with a lot of value and bang for the buck. Playing as Gladio was much better than I expected and the boss fights felt challenging. Graphics were top notch and the music was spectacular, especially Okabe's rendition of Battle at the Big Bridge and Gladio's theme "Shield of the King. Learning more about Cor was something I wanted so this delivered for me.
  4. SketchesofPlain
    Apr 19, 2017
    6
    While interesting to play as Gladio, this DLC was way too short (1.5-2 hour long, single dungeon) and did not add enough new elements to make it very enjoyable (for instance, you would get any new weapons or armor). The combat was slightly different from the main FFXV game, as Noctis, but just barely. Other than that, it added a few nice story elements that FFXV was lacking (but again, notWhile interesting to play as Gladio, this DLC was way too short (1.5-2 hour long, single dungeon) and did not add enough new elements to make it very enjoyable (for instance, you would get any new weapons or armor). The combat was slightly different from the main FFXV game, as Noctis, but just barely. Other than that, it added a few nice story elements that FFXV was lacking (but again, not much). I can't imagine playing through this a second time, even to get the trophies. I have also seen a lot of reviews mention the music. I am not sure why. I barely noticed it, and when I did, I didn't like it nearly as much as the main game's music. Future episodes really need to offer more reasons to play them than this episode did.… Expand
  5. DusterGoalie
    Apr 4, 2017
    8
    Episode Gladiolus is worth checking out for its rugged action and blood-pumping music, though its plot points really should've been part of Final Fantasy XV in the first place.
  6. marcelus
    Mar 30, 2017
    7
    A bit linear and short. Shorter than 2hs how they said it was going to be. The gameplay is interesting but simple. The problem for me is not the linearity nor the wasted opportunity to introduce new cool bosses but the difficulty. Very same issue with XV main campaign. Love the whole package but I hope next Final Fantasy games to take care a bit more of the no-so casual audience.

    The    A bit linear and short. Shorter than 2hs how they said it was going to be. The gameplay is interesting but simple. The problem for me is not the linearity nor the wasted opportunity to introduce new cool bosses but the difficulty. Very same issue with XV main campaign. Love the whole package but I hope next Final Fantasy games to take care a bit more of the no-so casual audience.

    The music from Keiichi Okabe is one of the best things. Let's see what happens with Episodes Prompto and Ignis. I can't review this Episode without acknoledging is a 3 part DLC and without being a bit lenient. 7 is a "decent".    … Expand
  7. Kamikazeshocki
    Dec 8, 2017
    6
    Well the music is awesome, again and it was fun to play FFX combat once again.
    But it took me only 2 hours to complete the story (I took my time). What a joke.
    I also did a second run for some achievements but.... totally not worth the money.
    But I own the pass anyway so....
  8. arstemis
    Mar 17, 2018
    9
    Episode Gladio is a fun DLC. The music is perfectly suited to Gladio's character and the combat - heavy-hitting and thrilling. Story-wise, the DLC delves into Cor's past, while providing slightly more depth to Gladio. You get a stronger feel for the character because of the DLC. My one real criticism is that they could've delved into Gladio's motivations and character a bit more, becauseEpisode Gladio is a fun DLC. The music is perfectly suited to Gladio's character and the combat - heavy-hitting and thrilling. Story-wise, the DLC delves into Cor's past, while providing slightly more depth to Gladio. You get a stronger feel for the character because of the DLC. My one real criticism is that they could've delved into Gladio's motivations and character a bit more, because there is a lot of room for him to grow, though what they've done is fine. The combat is where this DLC really shines. The developers moved away from Noctis' combat style, but kept it fast-paced and fun even without the use of warp. The DLC has some replay-ability, though not too much. After beating the Episode on normal mode, you unlock a 'Score Attack' mode which offers new achievements and in-game outfits. Episode Gladio is fun and worth the very low entry fee. It provides a fun combat system, interesting lore, great music and the development of Gladio's character. If you enjoyed FFXV, you will enjoy this.… Expand
  9. XV_
    Oct 12, 2019
    7
    The highlight of this DLC is the lore within it, the combat is as good as the base game but nothing that different, sure Gladiolus uses a great sword as a normal sword so its a different wielding than Noctis's but you will adapt easily to this one.

    The campaign will take you more or less 1 hour and a half, it's easy, save the last boss fight which has a better challenge and is kind of a    The highlight of this DLC is the lore within it, the combat is as good as the base game but nothing that different, sure Gladiolus uses a great sword as a normal sword so its a different wielding than Noctis's but you will adapt easily to this one.

    The campaign will take you more or less 1 hour and a half, it's easy, save the last boss fight which has a better challenge and is kind of a cool fight, merge that with a nice backstory for Cor and Gladio and you'll have an OK game.

    I like my time within this episode but it felt short and a little underwhelming, my favorite aspect so far was at the save points, where you can ask some questions to Cor about the past, those interactions were pretty great, if you care for the lore of FFXV that is, if not, you can stay away of this DLC.    … Expand
  10. Borselon
    Jun 12, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Una aventura épica y corta perfecta para personas que no tengan mucho tiempo para jugar.
    En este DLC se explora un poco más en el pasado de gladiolus y de cor, pero tampoco demasiado, el sistema de combate es entretenido pero no es la gran cosa, ya que es muy simple, los combates son buenos excepto el Boss final que me parece excelente, DLC entretenido y recomendado.    … Expand
  11. LastResource
    Jan 14, 2023
    10
    worth it and glad to play this game again. so much memories and nostalgia within this fifteenth game in the series.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. GameSpew
    Jun 9, 2017
    70
    If you’re not bothered about extra loot or costumes, then Episode Gladiolus might not be that worthwhile. But if you’re a fan who was invested in Final Fantasy XV‘s main story, finding out what happened to Gladiolus and learning where he got his scar from is a very welcome addition.
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  2. Let's Play Video Games
    Apr 3, 2017
    55
    Episode Gladiolus is DLC you can safely skip. While the new combat mechanics are neat, and there are some cool bosses to face off against, how it fits into FFXV – from its lack of plot significance to literal “buy the DLC now!” pop-ups over the course of the game – reek of the worst kind of DLC this side of pay-to-win. Sorry Gladio. You’re nice to look at, but not much else.
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  3. Multiplayer.it
    Apr 3, 2017
    68
    Episode Gladio is kind of a weird DLC: it might have been a nice addition to the main quest but it actually works well by itself as an action packed mission which also deepens some interesting side stories. With some good replayability and a few astounding musical tracks, it will keep fans of Final Fantasy XV busy for a couple hours at a somewhat cheap price.
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