billd91
Not your screen monkey (he/him)
I hope this doesn´t sound negative, but your post also shows me that 4e did something right: a RPG has to change not only rules but also its look & feel to stay current. Your rejection of 4e (and other similar posts) show me that 4e was much more successful in finding its own identity than 3e. Honestly, especially regarding to philosophy, 3e tried far too often to eat its cake and keep it, too: simulate older editions while grafting new ideas on.
Note: no edition war intended, lets all get along.
See, my take on the 4e change is a very different one. For me, 1 -> 2 -> 3/3.5 is aging and maturing along with me. 4e is the midlife crisis. The game's out driving a Miata, divorcing his old wife for a trophy, and trying to be someone it isn't.
3e may play a bit differently from my old 1e or even 2e days, but it's a heck of a lot closer than my 4e experience.