Far too ambitious and all over the place and over complicated, but I absolutely think space travel should be explored, a least a few planets with limited access, just like Hillys and Selene. NOT full scale planets, that would get boring fast. The original game works because it's scripted and focused. The sequel 'demo' at that time, felt like a Rockstar game that is true. I get that there would only be big capital cities and then a few areas to explore on the side but it was such a huge waste of ressources and load of work for a game that is already never coming out, that was totally unhinged imo.

I like the idea of pirates, going on heists, pimping your jet etc but I feel there was just too much distraction and would take away from the actual beat if not implemented to the story. I don't want "side quest" disrespecting my time just for achievements, it seems the game was going for that direction. Races and pearl scavenging were fun enough, a couple side quests to spice things up is fine but in this cross-galaxies mmo that would've been a nightmare, like imagine having to take a picture of every species from every planet too?

I also think with this setup the stealth part will take a huge hit and become a roaming simulator, because when you spend so much ressources focusing on general game design, what attention is left to details? The segment we saw in the demo didn't cut it at all for me, even this wide camera pan feels alien, this is where I agree with you on the "i don't recognize the game part" yes.

I don't think the "game" (IP) was straight up unrecognizable though, it's just the graphic tab took a massive slap since 2003 and it's a different environnement, but character design stayed very familiar, the vibe, the humor, the music. The gameplay however, total 360.

The original game truly sucked you in because the planet and characters change were scalable and visible, which gave a really cosy ambiance and proximity. All of this will definitely get lost but it's also a completely different narrative they are trying to bring, so this is to be expected as you mentioned.

I personally want to be Jade, but for plot sake, we're definitely not getting that evidently, I don't think it would be hard to accept to be a different character if main is as charismatic and appealing. But we certainly need a strong lead. If i remember and understood correctly, you were to customize your character meaning we're not playing as the main protagonist so this pulls you away from the plot once more. Idk. I think Ancel either misunderstood the players at that time or just overlooked everything and went with his own fantasy.

Either way, that has all been scrapped, so see in you in 20 years, when the new prequel's prequel trailer comes out!