The little changes are all positive, in my opinion. Free Beast Speech in animal form I like a lot as druids should just be the best at talking to animals. Needing to cast the spell to do it is limiting and annoying when you look over at a warlock who can do it passively if they made the right choices. Climbing ladders isn't really an issue for me either. Just a quality of life gameplay change so I don't have to blow wildshape usages to keep up with the party.
Not needing to see the animal first isn't all that different from campaigns I've played either. I've not met a DM yet that told me I couldn't use wildshape until I see an animal. All of them have more or less allowed me to decide what shapes I have based on background so long as I didn't get too gamey with it.
I am more concerned with giving Land druids access to forms that should be Moon exclusives like dire wolf or giant spider. It robs Moon of some of its best options and makes it more of a side grade in terms of wildshape combat power rather than an upgrade, which is a shame as Land is still an upgrade as far as being a pure caster.
