You’re absolutely right, Kill: the game meanders, but the characters, and the world itself, were very interesting. In fact, since the game was transitioning from the old RPG style where you wasted hours on fetch quests before getting back to the plot, to something with a more solid story, I suspect that design was an intentional compromise.
If they ever remake the game, I suspect that they will make it so you can go from the Nibelheim Reactor events right into looking for the Temple of the Ancients (they will of course, keep the Golden Saucer). Cid may be made entirely optional (like Yuffi and Vincent were, we tend to forget that.) The Weapons didn’t really add much to the story when you think about it; they sort of came out of nowhere (Meteor was enough of a final menace.) I say make them optional too. (Cait Sith cannot be made optional however, remember it was he who betrayed the group to Shinra, only to later (as Reeves) help them during the last part of the game.)
Of course, they will add scenes to link it to the prequels and sequels that have been made since then. And hopefully they would explain things better like the thing with Aeris that I said above. (And while I doubt her death can be prevented, adding a code so players can keep using her in battle would also be a big draw. Remember how those rumors burned the gamer circles? :P).
The graphics would of course get remade to modern standards. The music should NOT be touched if they know what they are doing!!
(Oh, and what about the scene where Cloud has to crossdress- you think they will keep it?) :hahaha;