Not all players agree with design choices suggested by OP, I would like clarify this:
1. Fix the scanner, and read many complain about map not clear enough, compass hard to follow, more follow the target streamlining requests.
NO, there's a huge effort in the game (and DAI) to stop the lame exploration quality of RPG including TW3 and SKRM, and there's no need of some lame rush follow the compass system. Approximate maps is the way to go and in my opinion DAI does it better than MEA. Imprecise compass and radar system is just better design for a game where exploration get a lot of design love.
2. Manual crouching/better cover system
Pointless detail, current system is good enough no need streamline it.
3. Overhaul the UI/inventory
Yeah the UI isn't good, it's usable, this will obviously involve a lot of money to redo everything, I'd say it's not worth. It would be better to improve it, but for me it's a very secondary element., the combat UI and exploration UI and dialog UI are fine and that's the most important.
4. Beef up the character creator
Gee superficiality request, good budget choice to have spend the money in better exploration. Watch less your hairs and focus more on stuff that really matter. :-P
5. Some music wouldn't hurt
So I cut off? I don't care.
6. Add alien monster variety : It's downright insulting that we run across the same exact alien species from planet to planet with just a different color scheme and species name. They're exactly the same on each planet! How is this okay???
Well, some smart reuse of models isn't bad. If there's an abuse, I agree it should be low down a little.
7&8: I don't know.
9. Add a power-wheel
On PC I don't need some console stuff. No opinion for playing with a gamepad.
10. Give us actual control over squads
Well I would also prefer a real time with pause system allowing control party, but request this change is request a different game, live with it or play something else.
SO WHAT? nothing about the no save and checkpoints *? i can't believe you have so many complains but not on this. I'll repeat the arguing, checkpoints is for an intense action game, not a RPG with a lot of exploration. Replay an exploration part because of a combat surprised you is just an awful gameplay design.