Great points you're making and I agree. I was wondering why my firebolt damage was lowered and left surface damage. Now, I'm okay of igniting some grease on the floor with firebolt which is possible in 5e. Or freezing blood on the ground to make it ice. Larian feels like they just did a lot of house rules for 5e.
I did play DoS1 and 2, they were fun but in the end, not my cup of tea. I did play lots of BG1, BG2 and it's spiritual successors. Playing BG3 feels like more like DoS with a 5e (loaded with house rules) thin coat of paint. That's not what I was hopping for.
