The mechanics are overall better now I guess...but old CRPG was way, way, WAY more fun.
Being a peasant back then was actually tense and interesting instead of a 2 hour inconvenience.
You had heroes who could take down half a team by themselves.
You had xp barns and bridges.
You had archers with flamberges in their back pockets.
And best of all...LADDERPAULTING!!!
Sure it was unbalanced as fuck, but my God it was fun.