I know we’re all on this forum because we care more about coasters and parks far more than the average person, but I just can’t imagine the general public care even the slightest bit about the 90s original story. To be honest I haven’t heard of any of the back story other than snippets I’ve read on here, nor do I particularly care, and I think Nemesis is an incredible coaster and I really enjoy good theming. There’s a huge amount of sentimentality on here that not only is extremely niche, but obviously has very limited impact on business decisions made by the park.
More generally I think there is a vast difference between what people experience on the day - in a way the theming that is in your face and story elements you are spoon-fed (eg through a pre-show etc) - and information/backstory that people actively have to seek out on websites, merchandise (books etc) or forums. I think the park at the moment are building a very cool vibe without the average person needing to know really anything - there is a shady paramilitary organisation secretly delivering pieces of Nemesis, the track itself is glossy black with stylised blood all over it, and the whole thing is quite retro-futuristic. That’s basically enough!
I think I would have been a bit disappointed if this was the depressing matte dark grey track of The Swarm etc, but the very glossy black already looks much more cool, let alone with the almost 80s blood illustration on the side that is I think very fitting. Theme parks generally have exaggerated theming that at times can feel almost camp in execution and I mean that in a good way - they have limited time and space to really get a theme across without telling a full story so need to be quite in-your-face, and I think the new track (and slightly cartoony blood decal) is exactly that.
Sure it’s very different and perhaps not as gritty as the photos from 30 years ago, but there has been a real degradation in the coaster and the theming over that time. This restores the coaster to its full glory whilst somewhat reinventing it and changing the vibe from run-down to modern and cool. I’m excited to see it, and ride it again, in person.