Let's Talk About Core Game Mechanics

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

true, but I am not aware of any games where the average result leads to the more unusual outcomes. You either hit or miss, depending on the target value, but you neither critically fail nor critically succeed, so it generally will be among the most 'normal' and definitely most common outcomes possible.

From my understanding that was the OP's complaint, that a bell curve makes the more exciting / interesting stuff less likely to occur compared to a linear distribution.

One thing I am considering for 2d10 or 2d6 roll systems: If you get the same number twice, it's considered some kind of crit.
Whatever that would mean, exactly, remains to be decided. (Of course, that still means the highest number is the best, obviously, but you might get a more spectacular result with a 16 on a 2d10 then with a 19.)