A symbolic representation of the creation of Eos via the artwork of Yoshitaka Amano.
Time: ~2 minutes
Importance: ★
Location: SquareEnix YouTube Channel

The heart of the whole saga; a father’s love for his son.
Time: ~3 minutes
Importance: ★★★★
Location: PlayStation YouTube Channel
Comments: A Dawn 2.0 Trailer was released. It's just an abbreviated cut with a different focus.

The son’s dream after an injury as a kid.
Time: ~30 minutes
Importance: ★★
Location: Limited time PS4 and XBox One Demo
If you don't have the demo, here's a 10 minute cut of all the story scenes:

The father telling a bedtime story about his adventures to his son.
Time: ~1 hour
Importance: ★★
Location: Free download on PS4 and Xbox One
If you don't own a console, here's a 18 minute cut of all the story scenes:

Describes the events of the day before the 4 friends begin their road trip.
Time: ~15 minutes
Importance: ★
Location: Official Square-Enix Final Fantasy XV Website[finalfantasyxv.square-enix-games.com]
Comments: It's tough to follow without knowing the characters yet, but here's where it falls in the timeline. I found it much more enjoyable to read after I knew the characters (sometime around Chapter 9). In Japan it was released as an audio play.

A dream the night before the road trip.
Time: ~4.5 minutes
Importance: ★★★
Location: PlayStation YouTube Channel

The tutorial takes place in the same dream-world as the Platinum Demo, and an opening scene of the game takes place before the end of Kingsglaive.
Comments: Accept the option to play the tutorial when you start a New Game, and make sure to examine the paintings at the end of the tutorial to get some Eos lore.
Advice: After the opening scenes, the game will auto-save and the "Chapter 1" screen comes up; that's the time to watch Kingsglaive.

The events that transpire in Insomnia before and during Chapter 1.
Time: ~107 minutes
Importance: ★★★★
Location: Any digital movie site: $4 to rent, $10 to buy.
Comments: It's difficult to decide when Kingsglaive is best watched. The final, post-credits scene of the movie perfectly leads into Chapter 1 of the Main Game, so the movie happens first chronologically and that's why I listed it here. However, if you want all major plot revelations to occur while playing the game, play Chapter 1 first and then watch the movie as a "flashback explanation" afterward.
Advice: After Kingsglaive, watch this charming 2 minute video about a background character.

The road trip to Galdin Quay.

The 4 friends reminiscing during the road trip.
Time: ~70 minutes
Importance: ★★★★
Location: Official FFXV YouTube Channel
Comments: Similar to Kingsglaive, it's difficult to place when Brotherhood is best watched. Since Episode 1 begins with references to some of the events that are revealed at the end of Chapter 1 of the main game, I think it fits best here.

Episode 1: Before the Storm

Episode 2: Dogged Runner

Episode 3: Sword and Shield

Episode 4: Bittersweet Memories

Episode 5: The Warmth of Light
UPDATE 11-22-20: Square-Enix made Episode 5 age-restricted on YouTube for violence and disturbing imagery, so you'll need to confirm your age before watching it. Here is a direct link.

Begin getting experience with the combat system and arrive in the open world.

After a little experience, it’s time to see the depth of the combat system. If you start getting bored with combat at any point in Chapters 2 to 7, take a break and watch some tutorials.
Time: Variable
Importance: ★★★
Location: I strongly recommend Asetoni FFXV's YouTube Channel. If you watch only one, I'd suggest his dodging system guide:
Comments: A common complaint is that the combat system is "Press Button to Win," but this is false. If you are skilled enough at the combat, you can beat every enemy in the game at level 1.

Finishing up the Duscae region before the Open World expands to the Vesperpool in Chapter 7.

Explains what Gladio does during Chapter 7.
Time: ~1 hour
Importance: ★★★★
Location: In the Downloadable Content section of the Main Title Menu.
Comments: Back in Final Fantasy 6, there were various points where the story split and you could choose who to follow. That same idea is present in FFXV. In short, Chapter 7 and Episode Gladiolus take place at the same time, so you can choose to play them in any order. However, the opening scene of Episode Gladiolus fits a little better after Chapter 7.
Advice: After finishing Episode Gladiolus is a good time to unlock "Change to Gladiolus" in the Techniques section of the Ascension Grid for 20AP, which allows you to play as Gladio whenever you want during the main game. Also, Asetoni's Gladio Guide is great.

Open world adventures in Lestallum.

An extra scene included in the Brotherhood anime with the game's Ultimate Collector's Edition.
Time: ~3.5 minutes
Importance: ★★
Location: YouTube
Comments: Some call it Brotherhood Episode 6, but that's overly generous for 3.5 minutes.

You finally have access to the full open world map. Enjoy!
Comments: Be aware that once you finish the "Meet with the Secretary" quest in this chapter, the main story hits overdrive and begins to focus on bringing everything to the inevitable climax.

Shows what Ignis does during the end of Chapter 9.
Time: ~1.5 hours
Importance: ★★★★
Location: In the Downloadable Content section of the Main Title Menu.
WARNING: Only play the main story, NOT any of the extras (the Extra Verse is a short "What if?" ending to the Main Game and will spoil the main game's real ending), and DO NOT WATCH THE CREDITS. After Ignis has a conversation with Noctus at his bedside during the ending, stop watching the screen during the credit scroll. They show slides of events that happen during Chapters 10-14 of the main game. This is why many suggest waiting until after finishing the Main Story of FFXV to play this episode.
Comments: However, I strongly disagree. Playing this episode now let's you use Ignis more effectively in battle in the main game, especially when you're required to later in the game. There's some foreshadowing that some people might consider spoilers, but I think they're vague enough that it increases anticipation, and thus is a good thing.
Advice: After finishing Episode Ignis is a good time to unlock "Change to Ignis" in the Techniques section of the Ascension Grid for 20AP, which allows you to play as Ignis whenever you want during the main game. Also, Asetoni's Ignis Guide is great.

Both of these chapters are short, especially 11, but they are very emotionally charged.

Intended to be Episode Aranea, but was canceled and released as this novella.
Time: ~1 hour
Importance: ★★
Location: The second of 4 novellas in Final Fantasy XV: The Dawn of the Future.[www.amazon.com]
WARNING: Do not read the final few pages after the "M.E. 766" heading, as it skips ahead to the end of Chapter 13 in the main game timeline. Come back and read the conclusion after reaching Chapter 14 in the main game.
Comments: It perfectly fits between Chapters 11 and 12 and explains so much more about what Aranea, Biggs, Wedge, and Ardyn were doing between appearances in the main game, but it's technically part of Dawn of the Future, a scenario that leads to the official Alternate Ending.

A brief chapter concerning Tenebrae.
Advice: FFXV autosaves after each chapter. To play Episode Prompto after Chapter 12, just quit to the title screen once Chapter 13 loads and autosaves. Then, after finishing Episode Prompto (which has a completely separate save system), just load your Chapter 13 autosave to continue.

Shows what Prompto is doing during Chapters 12 and 13.
Time: ~2 hours
Importance: ★★★★
Location: In the Downloadable Content section of the Main Title Menu.
Comments: Like Episode Gladiolus and Chapter 7, Episode Prompto and Chapters 12 and 13 take place concurrently, so you could do them in any order. Like Episode Ignis, I'd recommend skipping the credits, as there's a small spoiler for upcoming events.
Advice: After finishing Episode Prompto is a good time to unlock "Change to Prompto" in the Techniques section of the Ascension Grid for 20AP, which allows you to play as Prompto whenever you want during the main game. Also, Asetoni's Prompto Guide is great.

Comments: Chapter 13 is split into 2 paths (i.e. Verses). You can switch freely between them at any rest spot, but once you finish one or the other, you can't switch any more. After you finish Chapter 14, Chapter 13 Verse 2 (your companions) is accessible to play from the Main Menu.
Advice: Make a Separate Save at the first save point after getting out of the car at the beginning of Chapter 13. Then play as Noctus until you reunite with your companions. Make a new Noctus Save, then load up the other Separate Save to play through the events your companions experienced. Then return to your Noctus Save and finish Chapter 13.

Explains the events that transpire in the world of Eos between Chapters 13 and 14.
Time: ~2 hours to unlock "Kingly Blessing"
Importance: ★★
Location: In the Downloadable Content section of the Main Title Menu.
Comments: Again, many people suggest waiting until finishing the game to play Comrades, but I think it's worth seeing a little bit of what's going on between Chapters 13 and 14.
Advice: I'd suggest playing Comrades for only a couple hours until you unlock the "Kingly Blessing" Achievement, just to get a feel for the world and the events. Trying to complete the main story of Comrades can take longer than the entire main game. If 2 hours is too much, *at least* create a character and watch the intro sequence (~10 minutes).

An anime Prologue for Episode Ardyn, similar to Brotherhood.
Time: ~13 minutes
Importance: ★★★
Location: PlayStation YouTube Channel
Comments: The first of the 4 novellas in The Dawn of the Future, "A Savior Lost," is simply a novelization of Episode Ardyn and it's Prologue anime. There are a few subtle changes so that "A Savior Lost" flows better into the Alternate Ending, and we're given more insight into Ardyn's thoughts, but in the end I don't think the novella is worth even a single ★ since the anime and DLC do it better. But if you don't want to pay for the DLC, the novella will give you the full story.

A flashback origin story that takes place prior to the Dawn Trailer, but can't be played sooner because it begins and ends with events that take place in Chapters 13 & 14 of the main game.
Time: ~2 hours
Importance: ★★★
Location: The only DLC not included in FFXV: Windows Edition. Once purchased, it is in the Downloadable Content section of the Main Title Menu.
Comments: This episode was originally intended as the first of 4 DLC's in The Dawn of the Future arc, and leads to the official Alternate Ending. Nevertheless, it concludes by saying, "To be continued in Chapter 14..." Thus, I think it should be played before Chapter 14. It gives more insight into Ardyn and increases the tension of the next chapter.
Thoughts: I really wish there was a way to play Episode Ardyn Chapter 2 before even starting the main game, as it has a wonderful overview of the history, geography, and theology of Eos. However, there are just too many spoilers up front, so I wouldn't recommend it.

An amazing summary to get you pumped for Chapter 14!
Time: 160 seconds
Importance: ★★
Location: Official PlayStation YouTube Channel
Comments: After playing the first 13 chapters, this trailer is charged with meaning. It's a great way to maintain your focus during Chapter 14!

This is it, the final showdown!
Comments: Make sure to do the 3 side quests scattered around the area.
Advice: If you haven't mastered the combat system, make sure you are well-stocked with Potions, Elixirs, and Phoenix Downs before you begin climbing the tower.

The Extra Verse in Episode Ignis is a short "What if?" ending to the Main Game.
Time: ~20 minutes
Importance: ★
Location: Accessible from the Main Menu of Episode Ignis after playing through it the first time.
Comments: It's a different ending to the story for all the Ignis fans out there, but not canonical.

Intended to be Episode Lunafreya, but was canceled and released as this novella.
Time: ~2.5 hours
Importance: ★★
Location: The third of 4 novellas in Final Fantasy XV: The Dawn of the Future.[www.amazon.com]
Comments: This novella and The Final Glaive together are the official Alternate Ending.

Intended to be Episode Noctis, but was canceled and released as this novella.
Time: ~2 hours
Importance: ★★
Location: The fourth and final novella in Final Fantasy XV: The Dawn of the Future.[www.amazon.com]
Comments: Choosing Freedom and this novella together are the official Alternate Ending.

Adventure in the open world, doing all the extra quests, both those you never got around to finishing before Chapter 10, and all the new ones that unlock after finishing Chapter 14.
Location: Simply load your Clear Save File you made after Chapter 14, then select Umbra from any Rest Spot.

Here is a list of other Final Fantasy XV Universe content that is not important enough to warrant even a single star, but for completion's sake I'll add it to this final section. As none of these have any bearing on the main story, they could be played/watched/read at any point (except Pocket Edition, which is the FFXV main story, just condensed).

Final Fantasy XV: Episode Duscae
Location: Included with Final Fantasy Type-0 HD Collector's Edition on PS4 and XBox One.
Comments: Episode Duscae was the first playable demo for FFXV, released in March 2015. Although the story in the demo is different from how events play out in the final game, the demo does combine various scenes and a summon that do end up in the final game. If you're sensitive to non-story content spoilers, avoid it until after Chapter 5 of the main game. Here's a video:

Justice Monsters Five
Comments: A mobile version of the pinball game found at various points the world of FFXV. It ended service on March 27, 2017, but here's a trailer:

King's Knight: Wrath of the Dark Dragon
Comments: A mobile game that launched alongside FFXV and is referenced by your companions during side-chatter. It ended service on June 26, 2018, but here's a trailer:

Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV
Location: PlayStation VR Exclusive
Comments: A VR version of the fishing minigame in Final Fantasy XV. There is a story mode that has interactions with the main FFXV characters, but they're inconsequential to the main game.

Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire
Location: Android/iOS App Store
Comments: A mobile city-building game with micro-transactions. It's impossible to fit into the story of the main game. Rather, it just uses the characters and art assets of the universe. Nevertheless, there are entertaining trailers on the Official Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire YouTube Page. For example:

Final Fantasy XV: War for Eos
Location: Android/iOS App Store
Comments: Machine Zone's follow up to A New Empire, this is another mobile city-building game with micro-transactions, but has a party auto-battle campaign added. The introduction states, "The story of this game focuses on the reconstruction of the kingdom of Lucis after the fall of Insomnia. It expands beyond the original FFXV storyline, proceeding in a different parallel world." It reuses many of the art assets and trailer videos from A New Empire, but is more polished and contains full voice over by the original voice actors for all story scenes.

Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition
Location: Android, iOS, Windows 10 (Microsoft Store Exclusive), PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Comments: A condensed version of Final Fantasy XV with a chibi art style. Despite being compressed into 10 Chapters (instead of 15), there are additional lines of dialogue and a few small scenes that were cut from the main game that they added back in for the Pocket Edition, so I consider it worth playing.

Tekken 7: Noctis Lucis Caelum Pack
Location: PS4, XBox One, and Steam
Comments: Noctis was added as a playable character in Tekken 7, including a Hammerhead stage, 2 new music tracks, and 5 different costumes. The trailer is entertaining.

Dissidia Final Fantasy NT - A Princely Welcome
Location: PS4 and Steam
Comments: Noctis is a playable character in Dissidia. Here is the scene of his appearance in the Dissidia world, where he meets Lightning and the Warrior of Light:

Assassin's Creed Origins - A Gift from the Gods
Location: PS4, XBox One, UPlay, and Steam
Comments: A level 23 side quest with many connections to FFXV, including a pictogram of Ardyn and Noctis, a hieroglyphic "XV", a camel dressed as a chocobo as a reward mount, and an impressive concluding scene of Ardyn and Bahamut shown in this YouTube video:

FFXIV - A Nocturne for Heroes
Location: PS3/4/5, XBox Series X/S, macOS, and PC via MogStation or Steam
Comments: A limited time event that ran in 2019, 2021, and most recently from February 28, 2024, to March 13, 2024. Here are all the cutscenes:

Final Fantasy XV: Episode Carbuncle
Location: Official Famitsu Japansese Website[www.famitsu.com]
Comments: This episode is a free manga series published in Famitsu and drawn by Kino Takahashi. As the title implies, it follows the adventures of Carbuncle. Here is an Unofficial English Translation.[ama01279.wixsite.com]

Final Fantasy XV Official Comic Anthology
Location: Volume 1[www.kadokawa.co.jp] and Volume 2[www.kadokawa.co.jp] are for sale on kadokawa.co.jp. No official English translation exists.
Comments: Short, silly stories by various authors about events during the main game plot, so wait until after finishing the game to avoid spoilers.

Final Fantasy XV Eve Party
Comments: An impressive demo put together for the Eve of the Final Fantasy XV launch in Japan.

Final Fantasy XV Moogle Chocobo Carnival
Comments: A limited time festival that ran from January 24, 2017, to February 20, 2017, and then again from July 31, 2017, to September 29, 2017.

Final Fantasy XV Assassin's Festival
Comments: A limited time festival that ran from August 31, 2017, to January 31, 2018.

Final Fantasy XV Stand Together
Comments: A neat live-action trailer for FFXV, but it doesn't give any insight into the universe. WARNING: Don't watch until after playing Chapter 1 of the main game to avoid spoilers.

Final Fantasy XV Live From London
Comments: Here is an amazing 1 hour concert of Final Fantasy XV music by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. The composer, Yoko Shimomura, is in attendance, offering comments between songs and playing the piano accompaniment for the final song at 1h38m20s.

Thank you for reading my guide!
Please leave a comment if you know of anything I missed or have suggestions for improvement.