D2's items were better, because they were designed for that game. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beyond.gif" alt="" /> is a different game in a different universe and I don't see a point to copy *everything* from a game that sold just incredibly well.
The inventory of D2 reappears in Drakan as well ... it's kind of nice, but faar to restricted , I mean that it gets to easily full. I HATE it when I have to sell uniques in D2, just because I have no more room / space in my inventory !
The positive aspect is that the items in this kind of inventory are usually bigger than in other games -> more sight for the eye / eye-candy ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />