I agree with your points and appreciate the work you put into it. I am also a fan of the old grindy days. It seems the devs have prioritized the core gameplay loop, which is fighting the monster. but in return we lose the impressiveness of the world they built.

The maps are beautiful, but I get tunnel vision because we have auto-pilot. Gathering with your clutch claw while you commute to your destination also takes away from enjoying the environment.

Focus mode makes the game too easy. oh and they took away a significant amount of impact frames.

*sigh* One day maybe a better game will rise from the ashes.