What i certainly don't miss from the "old cRPG" is :
-the fact you carried on a percentage of your wpf, as free wpf. The higher your generation, the higher the percentage. That leaded people to stack AGI for the first gens, then start a full STR gen, with still 150 wpf in their 2h weapon.
-the crushthrough morningstar, wich coupled with the above was unbeatable in 1v1. (Corado_Decimo or something was a real god then. Fearsome)
-the deadly archers, deadly in melee, with over 200 wpf in archery. ( That dear Birdman and chimp. Was fun killing Birdman though, and i usually always got owned by chimp.)
What i do miss :
-the real heroes we had back then. With real knightly equipment
-the low skill-level. Now, 90% of the players know to block, and if you don't team up, you'll get screwed. Even if it's a team game, it discourages the mighty ninjas and gankers. (before they got owned by range, but could still dodge. Now, they get own by cav.)
-the low number of cav. It's really dull now. You're friends are offline ? Don't play, else it's easily and quickly boring.
What i'm happy we now have :
-slot system. Longbow archer + 2 stacks of arrows + great maul.
-huge wpf reduction with armor for range. The above with an ugly black armor.
-better overall balance
-awesome new game mods
-a rocking strategus wich is always improved.
All in all. I'm happy. I miss some of the old players (dear Bane, master of the Caravan Guild. :'( ), get owned because i didn't improve as fast as the others, but there's still old players who stick around. And an active community. And the same great dev team.