Anything can be improved.
this is true, however for the type of work in question, improving things like this too far into development can be on the same level as a rewrite
it's better to start off with something good
I'll be replacing the core game element from grinding, still haven't chosen a new one.
idk if it's really a matter of 'choose a new one' as much as 'think of a good way to make the game interesting'
if you're aiming to re-create an experience in a new environment rather than make a new one, my first choice would probably be one of the elder scrolls games. of course, that also requires a level of polish to make it work well.