September 27th is a pretty good date. It gives the hype surrounding Legion time to die down and it also means that 3.5 will probably be at some point in January. I'm guessing the release date played a small part in FFXV's delay though...but at least that is due out towards December.
It'll be interesting to see how the Alexander situation is wrapped up. Honestly I don't particularly like the story - I feel as though Alexander should have been linked to some sort of cult to play up the classic 'holy' element that it has boasted throughout most of its appearances. If nothing else, though, the fights themselves will be pretty fun I think.
Sophia being the second of the Triad fights surprises me. With her statue being the most prominent I figured she'd the third encounter. Given how impressive Sephirot's fight was, though, I think she'll be pretty awesome. Assuming they go with tasteful music for her and not something like Shiva Phase 2...
Xephatol being a dungeon rather than a zone is unusual. Mhach could have been its own zone after all - especially since we're in dire need of a huge outdoor explorable zone along the lines of Lea Monde or Nabudis from Vagrant Story and FFXII. It could be that we go there again in 4.0 but I think it's much more likely that we don't and that if 4.0 is Ala Mhigo we may end up going somewhere else as well. Thavanair perhaps - which would fit, I guess, if 4.0 is the 'Sea' to 3.0's 'Sky'.
Gubal (Hard) is also surprising but...at the same time it isn't. We'll likely go there to find out what Elidibus and the Warriors of Darkness were doing. Alisae will be our excuse for that given what she saw.
The 'battle' against the Warriors of Darkness will likely be some sort of mini-duty rather than it's own Trial. Which also means it probably won't do them much justice and we'll probably see the WoL thrash them. I doubt that they'll be killed off but I do hope we get a 'Beatrix' moment and they absolutely thrash the WoL for a change. At this point it's sorely needed because the WoL's power is becoming tiresome - especially when Hydaelyn is supposed to be barely holding on. Let her 'Blessing' start to waver at key points to show how high the stakes really are and the WoL related stuff should become more engaging.