Honestly, the launch of Final Fantasy 15 was a bit of a mess. You probably remember the headlines from 2016—missing story chapters, a confusing third act, and a combat system that felt like it was still in beta. It was a game that felt like it was being built while the car was already driving down the highway at 80 mph.
But here’s the thing. If you haven't touched the game since then, or if you only played the "vanilla" version, you’ve basically missed the actual game. Final Fantasy 15 Royal Edition isn't just a DLC bundle with some extra hats and car skins. It’s the version of the game that actually makes sense.
It’s been years now, and the dust has settled. We’re in 2026, and I still see people online arguing about whether this game is "real" Final Fantasy. Most of those arguments are based on the 2016 version. If you play the Royal Edition today, you’re getting a vastly different experience—one that feels like a coherent, emotional journey rather than a collection of beautiful but disconnected scenes.
Why the Royal Edition actually matters
Let’s be real: the original ending of FFXV was a letdown. You basically ran through a few dark streets in Insomnia, fought a boss, and that was it. It felt rushed because it was rushed.
In Final Fantasy 15 Royal Edition, they completely gutted and rebuilt the final chapter. The Insomnia City Ruins are now a full-blown endgame zone. You get actual side quests in the ruins, you explore the underground subways, and you face off against the "Rulers of Yore"—the old kings of Lucis. It adds hours of gameplay to the climax and, more importantly, it gives the story room to breathe. You actually feel the weight of returning home to a fallen kingdom.
What’s actually in the box?
If you’re looking at the store page and wondering what you’re paying for, here’s the breakdown. It’s a lot.
- The Royal Pack: This is the big one. It includes the expanded Insomnia map, the first-person mode (which is surprisingly cool for exploration, though a bit dizzying in combat), and the "Armiger Unleashed" mode.
- All Season Pass Content: You get Episode Gladiolus, Episode Prompto, and Episode Ignis. These aren't just side stories; they fill in the gaps when your friends leave the party during the main game. If you don't play these, the main plot literally has holes in it.
- The Royal Vessel: You can actually pilot the boat now. In the base game, the boat ride to Altissia was just a cutscene. Now you can drive it around the ocean, fish off the side, and find new recipes.
- Regalia Type-D: You can finally take your car off-road. It sounds small, but being able to drive through the dirt instead of being glued to the asphalt changes the feel of the open world entirely.
The Episode Ardyn catch
Here is something that confuses everyone: Final Fantasy 15 Royal Edition does not include Episode Ardyn.
I know, it’s annoying. Square Enix released the Royal Edition, and then they released one final DLC chapter after the fact. Episode Ardyn is arguably the best piece of storytelling in the whole FFXV universe. It explains exactly why the villain is doing what he’s doing. If you're going to play the Royal Edition, you basically have to factor in the extra few bucks for Episode Ardyn. Without it, you’re still missing the final piece of the puzzle.
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How it holds up on modern hardware
If you’re playing on a PS5 or Xbox Series X in 2026, you’re basically playing the PS4 Pro or Xbox One X versions via backwards compatibility. There was never a native "next-gen" patch, which is a tragedy.
On PS5, you have a choice. You can play in "Lite" mode, which gives you a locked 60 fps but keeps the resolution at 1080p. Or you can play in "Resolution" mode, which looks gorgeous at a checkerboard 1800p but is capped at 30 fps. Personally? Go with Lite. The combat in this game is way too fast for 30 fps. It feels sluggish and unresponsive otherwise.
On the Xbox Series X, the "High" mode actually hits a native 1800p and feels a bit more stable than the PlayStation version, but it's still stuck at 30 fps. The PC version is still the king here. If you have a decent rig, you can crank the settings, turn on the NVIDIA HairWorks (which makes the monsters look terrifyingly fuzzy), and play at 4K/60 fps. It still looks like a modern game.
The "Boy Band" Misconception
People love to make fun of the four main characters. They call them a J-Pop group or a boy band. I get it. They all wear black leather and spend way too much time on their hair.
But honestly? The relationship between Noctis, Ignis, Gladiolus, and Prompto is the best part of the game. It’s not about saving the world, even though that’s the plot. It’s about a road trip with your best friends before everything goes wrong. The Royal Edition emphasizes this by including the DLC episodes that flesh out their individual struggles.
When you get to that final campfire scene at the end of the game—no spoilers—it hits ten times harder because of the small moments you spent driving the car, taking photos, and cooking meals. It’s a level of character intimacy that most RPGs just don't achieve.
Stop trying to play it like a traditional JRPG
One big mistake people make with Final Fantasy 15 Royal Edition is trying to play it like Final Fantasy 7 or 10. This isn't a turn-based game where you grind in circles. It’s an action game.
If you just hold the "attack" button, you’re going to have a bad time. You need to use the Warp-Strike. You need to position yourself for "Link-strikes" with your friends. The combat is about flow and movement. Once it clicks, it’s incredibly satisfying, but it takes a few hours to get the hang of the rhythm.
Actionable Next Steps for New Players
If you're jumping in for the first time or returning after years away, here is exactly how you should handle the experience to get the most out of it:
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- Watch the movie, maybe: You don't have to watch Kingsglaive, but it explains why the city of Insomnia falls. If you don't watch it, the beginning of the game feels very abrupt. At the very least, watch a 5-minute recap on YouTube.
- Play the DLC at the right time: Don't wait until the end of the game.
- Play Episode Gladiolus after Gladio returns to the party in Chapter 7.
- Play Episode Prompto after he rejoins the group in Chapter 13.
- Play Episode Ignis after you finish the main game (it has massive spoilers for the ending).
- Get the Regalia Type-D early: Talk to Cindy at Hammerhead as soon as the quest becomes available. It makes exploring the early-game maps so much less frustrating.
- Use the character swap: One of the best updates in the Royal Edition is the ability to play as the other three guys. Each has a totally different playstyle. Switching to Prompto turns the game into a third-person shooter; switching to Ignis makes it feel like a high-speed tactical action game. Use it!
- Don't ignore the hunts: Most side quests are just fetch quests, but the "Hunts" are where the real challenge is. They lead you to massive bosses and hidden dungeons that you'll completely miss if you just rush the story.
Final Fantasy 15 Royal Edition is a flawed masterpiece. It’s messy, it’s ambitious, and it’s occasionally confusing. But it’s also one of the most unique experiences in the series. If you’re looking for a game that captures the feeling of a grand, tragic adventure with friends, this is it. Just make sure you get the Royal version, or you're only playing half the story.