I don't think EG is in the spirit of My Little Pony at all and they should have just made a film for the current fans and little girls. I have a couple of serious concerns and number one is that Hasbro is being over the top in creating things just to sell stuff. Now I know that most of the whole point of MLP is to make money for Hasbro, but there are companies who at least try to be subtle about that being their goal. They seem to try and make it look like they're supporting good values and child development etc. Hasbro just seems to be saying, "We don't have enough money. Give us more money!"
Hasbro already markets ponies in so many clever ways as to make you spend:
They put some ponies in playsets so you can't find them in that size any other way.
They have multiple sizes, so you will want all 27 Twilight Sparkle's in every size from microscopic to life sized.
They have multiple themes, so you end up getting the same pony only this time with a dress, or a pet, or a button on its flank that makes its feet move etc.
They have the game where you can't do anything without spending gems or coins etc. which have to be earned but oh look, Hasbro is kind enough to offer just to sell you gems and coins for cash so you don't have to wait the 2 minutes or more each time a pony is working on something. Or if you need to clear a rock away. Or a pebble. Or a grain of sand.
Blind bags -- yes for between $2 and $5 (depending where you live) you can buy a bag and not know what's even in it (if you don't know the codes).
Cards -- 4 cards in a pack is just highway robbery. And again, you can end up with doubles left and right, so Hasbro double dips because they make the same money again and again and you're not getting anything new.
It makes me wonder if Hasbro are going bankrupt because they're all going to be out of jobs and desperate, or if they're just greedy fatcats who can't get enough money. I think it's the latter and you know, that makes me feel very sad. Making money is nice but there has to be a point when you go too far. I feel the game definitely goes too far but looking at EG, I'm just not sure what Hasbro will sink to next in order to make money.
The one thing I wish they would do is re-release all the G1 ponies, because I'd buy a whole set of those. But exactly as they were, no new stylings or anything, and not in 50 sizes etc.
EG is only one hour and 12 minutes. Seems a bit spare, more like a TV special. I showed my daughter the trailer and she said, "UGH THEY'RE TEENAGERS!"