I see what you mean, but I think this one will be better overall.
He still is huge compared to us, and can come in from the sky like the FF Thumpers.
Having him move will make the combat much much more fun vs. the static thumper.
Also - having to escort him to protect him and the resources will add a much much more fun and entirely new play mechanic which we never had in FF thumping.
I think it will be a big improvement overall - because we'll have all the combat as with the old FF Thumping AND we'll have the new combat of the escort - AND we'll have a dynamic Thumper working with us in combat and probably more in the long term future.