the current PvZ 3 "rework" feels like a huge downgrade

Rework in " because it's essentially (Scrap that, it is litterely a different game as it's a new app instead of an update for the OG one) a different game now, which is good...I guess. I totally got why the majority of people disliked the previous version, but I feel like most of them judged it only by looking at it, which again is fine since that's how you actually want to get new players, but it also made the feedback sound more "unsaveable" than it actually is.

I understand that this is an extremely early version, which you guys probably made within a single year while having a higher focus on the first impression. Though, as the Title says, it is a huge downgrade from every release before which makes it feel more like a long demo than a early version of a game.

Some non-content features I really loved in the previous version, but are missing in this one:

Tree plants: Just thought it was a cool gimmick. Hopefully it makes a comeback.

Cherry Bomb: Added another layer of desicion making to the game

Devour Tower: Was a great way to complement the daily level grind and served a "main quest". It was also a very thematic way of unlocking new areas. Besides that it looked awesome

Zombie Breakouts: I just liked that you had an incentive to play everday, since the levels are semi-randomly generated. They contributed to the overall world-bulding, also because of location specific zombies

Taco Time: I thought it was super cool to permanently upgrade a plant for the rest of the round. Now you not only focused on surviving, but also on protecting those specific plants. Unlocking more tacos per round also felt great as it was a major power upgrade

Some thoughts on the new features of the current version:

Smart Lawnmower - Ok, I guess? I don't feel like it changes too much from having no lawnmowers and only exists to please older fans.

Chargeable Ultimate: Just feels like a different/worse version of cherry bomb. The fact that you can't trigger it manually makes it impossible to plan around it or save it as a backup

"Grow a Sunflower": Why is this even in this version? There are only 50 non-replayble and completely linear levels in this game demo. Other than that it is just there and doesn't add anything to the gameplay whatsover

 Also no gameplay customization at all? You can't tell me for real that that's what you have actually planned for the game.

Overall thoughts:

As the Title says the current version, while going back to the roots, is a huge step backwards in my opinion for reasons I mentioned above. I understand that this is an incredible early version / prove demo, which you probably had to release to regain reputation, but I'm lacking to see a clear goal here.

Idk, maybe I'm just dissapointed because I was one of the few who actually saw the great potential in the previous version and also that it was on the right track.

It's a shame to see all of that work go to waste. Maybe, just maybe, you could re-relase it one day. Even if it's just a spinoff, so you don't anger the "hardcore" fans.