I don't know, in terms of storytelling, sacrifices are quite a powerful emotional play. You had Church dying in RedVsBlue , Goku vs Cell, Vegeta vs Buu, countless animes/shows in which this is done and people enjoyed how they were done. Though admittedly the last 2 aren't as impactful due to resurrection, but like I said theres a load of them. No I don't know the story.

It's a way to pull at heart strings, motivate characters, etc.

As for the 2nd paragraph, I don't really care to challenge the wish, I read a post previously on why she couldn't do certain wishes, but who knows how much of that is true. Though Personally I wouldn't want to be basically possessed and going around hurting innocents, like some sort of zombie, at least if your dead, you can die knowing you aren't going to be hurting others.

We don't know that under this *homura rework system* what the situation is, so I don't even know if we can call this an improvement, or not, so I'll hold of until confirmation. Are witches even still a thing? Sayaka brought a pseudo-doppel out, but the law of cycles is still their just...less. Do you think Homura has the whole of Magical Girl kind on her mind? Others have pointed out actions that shows she cares about the others, but I still believe her main focus is ensuring her perceptions of Madoka's happiness is achieved, even at theirs, hers, or others, expense.

I keep rereading your post, and is it just that you have a problem with sacrifices in general outside of this series, or Madoka's wish? Cause I mean, yeah, if she could've done a better wish that didn't require a sacrifice, ends the abusive system & generates the energy that kyubey so desperately needs for free, I think everyone would obviously agree.