Something probably with considering that I didn’t mention because it doesn’t matter to me or affect me, they replaced hybrid controls with a weird one button special move layout. So you can do between the legs shots and the Michigan and stuff with one button.
I tried it because it kind of pushes it on you during set up, but quickly switched back to the total control set up because I’d rather be able to change lines and strategies with those buttons, and those are moves I’ve never had any interest in learning or using anyway. But if you play online (sounds like you don’t), I imagine dudes are just spamming those moves in there now. or if you preferred the hybrid controls, doesn’t seem like that’s an option anymore.
They also revamped checking/hit stick, for the better, but it’s also frustrating. It’s way harder to just charge and blast dudes now, and if your timing or trajectory is of off you’ll miss and be out of position on transitions.
So for my experience with the game, considering franchise and maybe other tournament offline modes are all I’m interested in, I’ve found the changes really make me play more honest, which I like because I want a realistic simulation. But if online is your thing, seems like they went the opposite way with it with the cheater special move controls.