I just want to make sure you know I didn't ignore your post (as you obviously spent a lot of time typing it out). But I don't agree with your analysis of either game, which is undermining everything else that is being said. We're going to have to agree to disagree on this one.
When the beta patch notes said "- Added environment/weather system", I really thought we were getting dynamic weather. Now I'm confused and wondering what they meant by that change/addition that wasn't in the game already.