Well, if it isn't my mortal foe! (See other thread.)
You are, of course, correct - Hudson see no need to change a winning formula. They see no reason to revise the slow board game mechanic, get rid of the minigames in which people win entirely at random or make drastic changes to make the games appeal to those who have some of the prequels. And that is what annoys me.
I could be wrong, of course - I can acknowledge that. this game could be the funniest thing since the 1998 Ferret Dancing Championship ended up with three participants being neutered, and a great step up from 5 (the last Party I purchased). I'll reserve judgement for now, and wait until I can see a review.