I'm not so worried about variation when it comes to landscape and towns, I think they got that email. As for interiors it comes down to design and the available tile set, IIRC in OB cave corner #3 was a complete, indivisible unit complete with roof, wall, floor and features, it looked the same everywhere it was used and it was used everywhere - I'm to so hopeful this will have changed.
Size, well, the game area is said to be the same as Ob but with mountains obscuring your view it should feel bigger - the fact you are not constantly looking across the entire map a'la OB will also help give the feeling of more variation.
Perks my not be so bad, but to give the player 50 perks the player needs to gain 50 levels. This could be allowed for by increasing the game content (good) but has instead been implemented by increasing the speed of levelling (possibly not so good). As each perk is a known quantity, versus the large number of combinations of skills and abilities, I guess perks are easier to balance wrt combat.
It sounds like Magic has been revamped. Spell creation is out as of now so all spell effects are known quantities and hence easier to balance wrt combat. I'm guessing the power of a spell will depend on PC skill which again makes for a system which is easier to balance, level by level, wrt combat.
Enchantment is back as a skill, yay, but no details exist, boo. Guessing once more, the PC enchantment skill will do nothing more than determine the magnitude of effect when an enchanted item is used because this is easier to balance wrt combat.
Stat points: No details but it is strongly hinted that the only stats you can increase as you level are health, strength and mana pool. This makes perfect sense as these are the only 3 stats influencing combat
Apple inspired interface designed for people who think a 50" TV at 12' is bigger than a 24" monitor at 2'
So, the game will be great if you're looking for a console interface on an open world combat simulator. If your ideal game does not fit this profile then I think fail is guaranteed.