I definitely agree with the combat part.
FF7R has my favourite combat in the franchise and I wish it would be used as the blueprint for future titles. Just as with the old turn based combat, every game could still introduce unique mechanics and gimmicks, but I wouldn't mind if FF7R was used as a base.
As for the rest of the comparison. IMO
Combat was better in FF7R.
Story was pretty even IMO, the first half of XVI was amazing but the last third kinda sucked, meanwhile 7remake has way more anime cringe but it's more consistent
Both games struggle with level design, bloat and terrible side content and I still think Square just doesn't have the talent to make HD games properly.
-story is poorly handled, world building was flimsy (and how the fuck does the map not label countries/ruling bodies?), teased players with multiple cool looking locations and then don’t let them actually go there,
Yeah not actually being able to go to any of the cities (besides during some mission where it's just some corridors connecting fights) was underwhelming
People will grow tired of the remake 2 system in no time if it'd the default system. Like always gamers dont know what they want.
When you've got a long running franchises with millions of fans that sell millions of units it's unlikely a game will do something that everyone will like.
No matter if they go turn based, adapt the system of 7R, build upon the foundations of XVI or do something completely new, there's always going to be a group of people who won't like it and will go online to complain.