I think that the main reason this game is as good as it is (which is not good) is that they didn't bother to make a new engine from scratch and tried to build on top of the dos engine instead. And it just works poorly for a dnd5 game.
Second reason is that they're inprinting too much of themeselves into the game instead of neutrally realizing the fine system and world that already exist. DnD and Forgotten Realms in particular have character (strong and recognizable), you don't have to bring yours to make it alive/interesting, it's already there. You just mess the things up.
The current engine works great, regardless of whether you don't like the changes. Plus the benefits of using an existing framework with expanded features. Do you understand how much work goes into making a completely new game engine? What specifically can't this one do that's so important, 'cause I don't think any of your issues have to do with the game engine.
And what do you mean they should be "neutral"? They can't make their own game too much like... their own game? What good studio makes games with nothing of their own style in it? Why would they hire an RPG company known for their particular style to make a generic no-frills DnD game?
People here legit act like they stole the rights to use DnD or something. Like if you called up WotC they'd be like "They're making WHAT game? We had no idea!"
More newcomer-frendly than what? Than a pen and paper version? Probably, you at least don't need other people to be able to play the game here. But why compare it to pen and paper, which is entirely different activity? We should compare it to other versions of BG3 - to what it could have been. Do you really think that having actual dnd rules, instead of bonus action shove for 30 ft., would somehow be less newcomer-friendly? Or having a world that would make sence insead of throwing-healing-potion-to-crate-a-healing-bath would be less new newcomer-friendly? And how exactly those weapon-based skills are newcomer-friendly? I think that they made 0 newcomer-friendish things, actually. But yes, they made quite a lot of silly and goofy (which is "fun", it seems) things. I don't think that being silly and lacking seriousness is newcomer-friendly somehow.
The obsession with complaining about shoves is actually brain rot. If you asked someone what was important for a proper game of DnD, how far down the list would strict adherence to shove mechanics be? The verticality in this actually makes shoving useful and interesting. You might think they should be toned down, but it's more fun and engaging than shoving ever has been. I've been genuinely impressed by how useful verticality is when in most games it's mostly cosmetic.
To add to this here's some stuff they added that I really like
1. Improvised weapons, throwing enemies, mobility - This is a big improvement over DoS2 which only had point to point teleports/movement abilities. The battlefield more engaging with the ability to affect the world and enemies around you. Being able to throw improvised weapons really feels like a scrappy fight where you use everything around to your advantage.
2. Weapon Skills - The weapon skills make each one have more of a reason to exist. At least early on, you won't just choose the highest dice value. Even later on you might even keep a worse weapon with a good ability in your back pocket for special occasions.
3. Toggle turn based mode - A great new way to tackle puzzles and traps. As well as move with precision and start fights in a coordinated manner.
4. Multiplayer - It's pretty rare to get co-op multiplayer story driven RPG games especially one this expansive. It usually isn't something that interests me personally, but if they the ability to create custom scenarios I can definitely see myself trying it out.
