Just replaying Metro Exodus and it's just so clear how much of the game's soul is missing compared to previous games because it sought out "broad appeal" and made creative decisions based on that rather than trying to just make a good Metro game.
It begs the question - we've seen so many games sacrificed at the altar of "broad appeal" but has a game ever been made better by stepping out of their niche to try get a better audience?
if memory serves right the original dev through it would be a good idea to make a numbered FF flagship title a sort of gacha casual game where you log in, do some clicks here and there and log off.