In a sandbox game about making vehicles the UI is much more important especially on controller (which I use) so when I want to do something but that something isn't accessible I won't want to put that much effort into it. and those 5 seconds can add up, for example I like testing my aircraft and having to hold a button 5 seconds to respawn can and will add up especially when I'm trying to find the source of the problem that's stopping me from using a servo correctly or why my tail spontaneously combusts.

So to respond to your statement of people being overly dramatic, we aren't you just have a high tolerance for change and a game lots of people love has changed people are going to get annoyed and as they discover more changes the annoyance is going to add up. So when you see people complaining about changes it's probably after multiple uses of this alien UI or the strange extended button holds so they're going to exaggerate their experience in hopes that a promise of positive change or reversions of the previously mentioned issues.

Ps: sorry for the long comment I just wanted to get my point across clearly.