FWIW, 2024 has grown on me. 
The downside: Characters are stronger with more magic and better control magic options, but there is more balance between PC's and I can always send more/stronger enemies at them.
I wasn't sold on the no starting ASI's being moved to background, but that's not actually bothered me.  I think the feats are mostly better made and more balanced.  Etc. 
And it's fun analyzing the new system and creating characters for it.  The math of many abilities (vex, sap, etc) is complicated enough that most overall optimization isn't a simple solve which helps keep things fresh IMO. 
And maybe most importantly, melee damage tends to really outpace ranged damage, which i find to be a big win.