I would disagree as what you said is a paradox in itself.
If people don't like change, they wouldn't be looking forward for a sequel and anticipating it for years, they would simply stick with the original game because of their disapprovals of change.
Change by itself is perfectly fine, but the extent and the content of that change is the sensitive issue.
People look forward to a sequel for new improvements. The same nonsense happen with Civ IV but not to this extent. People don't want change they want more. Human nature is greed. They wanted a Civ IV with more 'stuff' and they got a whole new game with some positive and some negative new mechanics.More importantly they cant cope that its an NEW game not an expansion. Again I'll say it. I'm somewhat disappointed but that's because I'm use to Civ IV and I had the same issues from III to IV. But I'm still happy a new Civ is out. Like why cant people ever be pleased.