I can't speak for much much this is a WotC change vs a Larian change, but I will say the following:
Changing racial attribute bonuses to generic +2/+1, whilst preserving most other racial bonuses will change what races get picked. If this leads to obvious picks for the classes available, with clear outliers of uselessness, I'll be on board with "bad idea" line of thought. I'm not very well versed in the race/class diversity, as I tend to play only magic users before I get bored with a game, so I haven't much else to say on this.
Dark vision is useful, as has been discussed here already.
Whilst we're on the topic of balance, I sure hope we won't be able to sneak-cheese in release. Optional or not, it leaves an opening for shenanigans that break immersion, balance and ultimately us as players.
