Point is: We remember the items of BG because we know where to find them, what they do and the things we experianced when fighting with them.
We do not remember anything from D:OS because the next orc would drop something better.
Totally agree. But, I don't think not having fixed loot contradicts this.
I guess I take my cue from old D&D sessions (DM made, not modules you bought). You just never knew what you would find. For me, that's part of the exportation element of an RPG
