Gameplay changed? No random encounters? Open World? Scenario rewritten?
I am out. Might as well make a new FF then, what is the point?
Did some of you guys even like the old FF7? If not - then ... I don't think this is for you either?
I'm not a huge fan of FF7, but the scenario needs to stay the same. The dialog can certainly be improved, but change the basic scenario, change the story, and it's no longer the same game.
I'm indifferent to random encounters. They can add a certain... intensity... that is missing from most modern RPGs, but so many developers seem to get the encounter rate wrong. Maybe have adjustable encounters, like Bravely Default.
Open World could be cool, as long as it's based on the world of FF7, and structured like Xenoblade (story driven with clear cut goals).
The battle system needs to remain active turn based. Change that, and you've essentially changed the genre of the game. Final Fantasy 7 introduced a whole new generation of fans to turn based games, no reason the sequel can't do the same.