If Square re-created FF7 with the visual fidelity expected and that we got with a 1:1 town the size of this with about 10 static npc's and buildings (as one example), they'd have been assasinated for it, by fans reviewers and the industry. The vast majority of fans alwayed wanted a remake with the graphics and presentation akin to what was delivered, which can be backed up by the general praise and buzz for part 2 or Rebirth.
First of all, only normies seeking validation asked for a remake.
Second, this excuse of a 1:1 scale for the towns is bullshit propagated by Square-Enix marketing, so they can justify padding the crap out of the first part of the game.
There was no point in making areas bigger than they should. Look at the games below.
They all feature a portion of the town/city the player is at. There is no point in allowing the player to explore the entirety of it because a) it makes no sense and b) it would take forever.
All those areas are as big as they need to be, and they can add as much detail as they want.
Here's the thing: Square-Enix is only concerned in following trends.
Trends allows them to be lazy, at the same time that it allows them to spew bullshit excuses to investors to pretend they're "catching up with the times" in "modernizing" their games.
All this "subvert expectations" crap of the term "remake" is an excuse for them to be lazy with this project.
Oh, but we're not really making a remake, it's a "remake"! So if you have an issue with this, go play the original, haha!
Which we all know was used to buy them time, because the planning for this project was a mess. Also, to sell each part at full price
"From here on out, with production and quality in mind, we're shifting to our in-house organization."
www.usgamer.net
It's not a coincidence that FF7R follows a similar formula to other Playstation "blockbuster" games (behind-the-back camera, cutscenes, cinematic experience, a lot of walking, more emphasis on graphics than anything else, etc). It was a Playstation temporary exclusive, and it had to appeal to their trends and audience.
Again, everybody that knew how to make a great Final Fantasy has left the company.
Those that remained are either hacks or don't have enough power to make things happen.
Even Yuji Horii is being cornered by Square-Enix to make Dragon Quest 12 "for adults".
You know, because it's another trend. Same thing with FF16.