After Volume 8, it becomes more "political" (Xenos, etc.) and the Dungeon as a challenge becomes inconsequential, giving more focus on individual challenges (Asterius, Ais, Freya, etc.)I don't understand or can't, why would do want to change the genre of the game? Like it is now is the perfect representation of the anime and why I liked it so much, making this to be a Dungeon crawler was the best idea so it confuses me(and surely not only me, unless that thing of changing it for a tactics one it's just a mini game, the it wouldn't be any problem). Also 2 years passed already since you did that, so many things could've have changed or included, hearing the people and trying to make the better playable parody sequel possible.
Dungeon Crawling up to this point makes sense because Bell starts out with a fear towards Goblins (due to his past), but quickly outgrows it.
That's why I believe a focus on VN + Individual battles makes much more sense, especially since in the game you can end Volume 8 as a level 4 if you play particularly well.
However, I can always make a poll and let my patrons decide which one they'd prefer (Assuming Legacy of Hestia II wins the poll).