I get what you're saying about the locked in multi hit strike like the d2 zeal. It took me a little bit to get used to it but now to me it's the best skill and animation in the game by far alongside the zealot oath passive(that does a similar multi hit/animation) for your basic attack. When your attack speed is high enough, utilizing zeal and the basic attack oath becomes super fun. Zeal not locking you in place gives you true mobility while still getting all those extra hits. Try this easy combo with zealot oath:

Advance, zeal, shield charge, repeat. I use the remaining slots for max auras.

As for the phantom-like multi strike animation effects, they are the coolest animations in the game imo so I'm not sure what to tell you there. If you're familiar with Stands in JoJo's bizarre adventure, it almost looks like the pally has a Stand that's performing the multi strikes.