>>714780984
Supposing that the franchise would definitely 100% never get a game again if the next one failed, I probably would go all in on the "character" aspect, since that's one element which basically everybody loves about the series. Sonicfags fucking ate up Forces even though it was so mediocre on account of the furry creator, so either implement something on par with that or else just create a stable of a couple dozen new pilots to recruit from.

Return to some of the strategy elements from 2 and Command to bolster the barebones "fly around and shoot things" gameplay. Maximize replay value, earn money from destroying things which you can use to buy hire the new pilots or buy new ships, weapons, customization options, etc. Include mild rogue-like elements such as randomized possible objectives on the planetary missions, kinda like some of the earlier development builds of Star Fox 2 revealed in the gigaleak. You could save money by reusing level geometry and textures for stuff like the enemy base structures. Star Fox 2 mixed with Crimson Skies mixed with Sky Rogue.

Aim for a middle range price point and expect modest returns, don't sink millions and millions of Triple A bux into it.