It doesn’t matter how much of the trailer went into the final game in a conversation about first impressions. This isn’t something that can be changed through logic. This is about a visceral emotional reaction. XIII’s original trailer was gripping and while I don’t care about the game, if still had that unique identity which shined through in that trailer. Versus’ trailer was so hauntingly beautiful that it managed to make people wait for that project for all those years. The music alone just gave it so much personality and the themes of the final game still reflect it very well. FFXVI’s first trailer made me think I was watching a trailer for another Ubisoft game at first.

Of course the final product can be good - I’m not saying that it can’t. It’s just that this is the first time an initial announcement of an FF makes it feel generic. FF may have had its ups and downs, but it always stood out. Now it looks like SE is chasing all the latest trends in fantasy.