To make so that race does not affect attributes is the most stupid decision I have heard.
They have non-stat bonuses that keeps them different, wich, in my honest opinion, is excelent idea!
In 5e ... no matter what you do, (to use your own words) "a tall 2 meter Half Orc have same race attributes as a little Halfling or Gnome" ... sooner or later, that is unavoidable, if you play long enough to reach cap of 20. It was still possible to even create lvl 1 Half Orc and Gnome with exactly same stats ... sure, it had to be done purposefully, but it was perfectly possible.
Now, no matter what you do, your Orc is allways stronger, bcs his carry weight is doubled, compared to everyone else. And that is great! Finaly when you have Orc Barbarian, Human Barbarian and Dwarf Barbarian, Orc is strongest!
i do know that DnD 5.0 in later books (not Players Handbook) have optional rule that you can swap stat bonuses. I am fine with that but DnD 5.5 enforces that GM have no choice whatsoever and the default is you can not change race attribute bonuses apply in Dnd 5.0
Well and same stat at level 20 when they increase stats every 4th level? Most pen and paper adventure never reach level 20 or even near it. Same with BG 3 it never reaches even near level 20 and it is great that in BG3 stats can not be swapped so race affects much. In addition many allow for optional rule that choose feats instead and all of them feats do not increase attributes.
The only thing I wish added to BG3 it the option you can roll stats instead of must choose buy point system 27 points.
