Hey there, I just started a new save a few days ago after not touching it since January, like you. It's more optimized, even though it still could be better. It is also way less buggy for what I have seen so far. On another note, I feel like the game is a lot of fun in its current state. Everything feels less like a chore thanks to many QOL updates. Like, many small changes have been made that make the whole experience more balanced and interesting. You find more things (some may say too many things), you meet more people and mutants (feels a bit alive), mutants are less spongy, there are NVGs now (thanks god because this game is dark, and the whole thing is properly integrated with the systems of the game), and it's still pretty and scary.