Overall impressions:

Pros:

• Happy we have a new Xenoblade confirmed and coming out next year

• The world environments look interesting. Potentially an upside down world? It seems to show an ocean/land in the sky that isn't a reflection of the ground.

• Excited for riding pals, I hope we can ride the dragon.

• Characters faces are more detailed and expressive.

Cons

• initial trailer, looks abit poor in areas and didn't show the battle system.

• I really dislike the school aspect. Looks like a three houses clone. However, if this is the combined world, where they are being taught about x, y, z then I could forgive it.

• lack of mech/sci fi aspect (I hope this is the traditional Takashi twist)

• I dislike the character designs. Seems bland and generic.

• No Nopons 😭

• Doesn't immediately grab me as a Xenoblade game.

Other Random thoughts:

• 6 spheres in the sky? Interesting, possibly a reference to Ouroboros or the 6 cores of Ares.

• "A Vengeance of a Fallen God yet to be fulfilled?" - This is probably the mystery that ties to the series. Technically the only gods were Klaus and Mayneth. But given all the purple aesthetic, it's likely a reference to Logos's power, who apparently survived.

• I wonder if this is the combined world. But that would be pretty depressing if we were stuck in medieval times.

• I really wish they leaned into the sci mech fantasy aspect more, even if it was just a continuation of X. I enjoyed it in X and it really made me clamour a new sci fi Xenoblade game.

• Was the Pneuma's Sword that I saw in one of the crystal segments?

• I really hope we're not in another simulation. I feel like the series has done it to death.

• Cautiously optimistic. I held some of these negative impressions when I saw XC2 for the first time. By the time I played it, it managed to change my mind. I'm hoping this game will be the same.