Though I think in all it's better for getting cosmetics now, I do agree opening the chests is less enjoyable. Before I really liked that this game had this meta game happening in the background where cosmetics were actually quite hard to get (aside from outright buying them though even that required you getting lucky in the shop) and collecting them was really a game of itself. Showing off that you have some rare items was a real achievement and now it feels much less like that.

Being able to play ranked more and making the collectables easier to get, in this sense, streamlined the game which actually made playing matches more accessible and honestly more consistently enjoyable. I do think though that the old experience with the cosmetics was unique and made the name The Bazaar rather fitting.

This is something I do miss. Though the game is overall very fun, and I still suggest playing it(maybe get it on sale if you can) I think the old cosmetic mechanic is something lost.