You say all these things that upset you.... and all the things you listed makes me happy, and more ready to by the game!!
I've played the first Dissidia
1) I couldn't care less about the story in the first game, Good Vs Evil, Emo kids VS Emo Villains, Light darkness whatever, I didn't care. I love story in games, but after hearing Clouds depressing victory quotes, I didn't want to hear anyone talk, let alone tell me a story.
2) I hate Multiveres, ever since Marvel and DC it has just became a lame excuse to avoid continuity, I don't care that Dissidia is Canon or not, I don't want to consider it canon, so it is not canon.
3) Okay...
4) No more customization.... That is a really good thing.... I bought the game for the cool fights, not for the counter intuitive menu and "crafting" system... I hated the move set system, the game never needed it. I also hated the progression and leveling up felt ungodly slow and pointless. I'm glad that they took all that away and have them focus on the most important part of Dissidia... the fighting.
So i'm now more inclined to get it after they took out the things that made the game feel slower and more bogged down in the first game. Dissidia is a fast pace spectical fighter, and it needs to be nothing more!