1) Fighting styles as themes as I expected.
2) I fear that if the Speed of this edition will blur the uniqueness of monsters. If humaniods are so imiliar except for a some feature, equipment change, or ability score switch and the players BLOW THEM UP!, then the player don't get see the change of mechanically effect.
This isn't 4E where monsters stick around and live long enough to pull off their shtick. In 4E, nonminions live long enough to smash, or sneak, or blast. You got a chance to feel the difference between the Vanillas, The French Vanillas, and the Non Vanillas.
But my games of Next play like 3E. Or even MTG. Where "Dies to removal before they do anything" is common. Next is fast. So if the goblin is squished before they get to do anything and the goblin is mechanically very similiar to orcs.... then goblins feel like short orcs.
Maybe 4e spoiled me with its monster survival and unique abilities.
3) Yay! Skill advancement! I want my +10 to jump to Shoryuken a flying dragon.