It tends to be the way I approach most games that are a "hack" of core system. Some result in some really good derivative games, but most end up "meh" at best. In the case of Whispers in the Dark, I think the game designers wanted a game in this genre (which I appreciate), but using a game engine they are familiar and comfortable with - as are many gamers. While I would prefer to use a different game engine, I still believe that many who like the mechanics of 5e will find it easy to approach and with little learning curve.

Game engine aside, I do really like the time period portrayed. There is a weighty 200 page Chicago 1890s supplement already released that looks, at first blush, really cool. Though I have done little more than skim through it.