Tiny update on Episode Ardyn: I’m surprised at how much lore get explained here. I expected this to be more of a character study - and it is, and I’ll comment on that once I’m done with the episode, but I’m very happy with that aspect so far as well - but there’s a section in this game where you get to learn so much more about this world and it’s actually pretty great and makes the whole XV universe feel even richer. Again, all this should have been in the main game, but I’m happy that at least now we’re getting it.

One more thing that worries me though is that this game’s main segment takes place during Regis’ reign. I don’t recall anyone ever mentioning an attack by Ifrit and some super powerful dude on Insomnia at that time, nor does Regis seem to recognize Ardyn in Kingsglaive, so I have to wonder whether this retcon will be justified enough to not conflict with the main story. Unless this is just meant to set up the alternate timeline that season two was supposed to cover and is now only covered in the novel.

@Raistlin - yeah, I can definitely see it being a stretch and I am setting a high bar here. Too high perhaps. It’s very likely that most people won’t be as positive about it as I was, but to me personally, it just gave me a similar level of joy and satisfaction with the gameplay and themes. VI and XII are obviously still on top for me, but XV came closer than I ever imagined would be possible.