I hope they don't remove the cover system, it was a brilliant idea which made a lot of sense.
Then again, this is pre-alpha.
From gameplay point of view
- there are new attributes (Wisdom, Dex is split)
- there are new class trees
- there is new skill system and new skill balance
- there is new source magic for everyone
- there is overhaul combat system (AP change, removed sight, hearing, ...)
- there is verticality added
- there is 4 player coop
- there is unique character creation and dialog web system
- there is new UI
Wraps it - all things wich made DOS greate are subject to change. Any of these changes could make a source of disaster. Adding another new system like cover-system sounds like more and more like Russian roulette.
I am quite reserved about mindlessly adding more.
Check the game series Black Guards. Based on german A&D (Schwarze auge), used some inovative aproach. I loved combination of 3D turn battles and hand-made semi-static art screens for story dialogs. Simply beatiful. Would love the same trick for DOS. It was not AAA game but for RPG positive player very fun. They sold decent amount. So they made a next part BlackGuards 2 - they added/gutted a lot of. They focused for streamlinig a lot. Guted "unnecessary numbers", streamlined combat system, added mainstream media story like lead a mob against dictator. Result - total disaster. They sold just few copies.
Why ? They simply didnt recognize what made the first game popular.
Similar story has Supreme Commander 1 and 2. second part added/gutted a LOT. Unfortunately gutted fun part and added dull part. Result - there is not Gas Powered games studio anymore.
I think that DOS2 has a LOT of new stuff already. Personaly, I would prefere some of the new stuff toned down. I would prefer decent improvement of underdeveloped things - inventory, craft, dialogs camera, quality of graphics, animations system, cloth physics, physics of interaction, ability to permanent change enviroment - cut trees, destroy buildings, turn foliage to ashes, poisond ground so foliage will slowly decay(in days) and crops die; massive AI improvement, ....
Now I see tendency become mainstream fantasy X:com with thousands of skills. I would say rather focus in dept than wide.
