I'm totally agree with the op, a reskin of UI, mouse cursor and items will be a good first step.
Less shiny ambience is a wish IMO, Larian have a very trouble with sunny beach. It's a filler in all Divinity, I think it's a belgian desire but stop it and back with dark forest and less gama.
He who breaks a thing to understand what it is, has left the path of reason.
