A great idea: taking what is one of the best Pokemon games, and opening it up. So many quality of life improvements, character customization, on top of a solid foundation. To top it all off, you can also use these Pokemon to complete Stadium 2 or transfer up to Generation 7 and beyond. Will probably be my preferred way to return to Generation 2.
I don't really care for level scaling in open world rpgs, and this has a serious problem with not giving you enough trainers to level up before the next gym. I know you can refight gyms to grind but that's bleh. Still it's an easy recommend to anyone interested in replaying crystal in a new way, it's pretty well done and throws the whole game on its head in an interesting way.