I kinda like it, but I'm also used to it since I played them in release order. I like not having to worry about replenishing cores, I like not having to cock guns after firing them, I like being able to hold infinite animal skins and such, and that you just sell everything and don't need to worry about crafting and stuff.
2 is awesome too, but it leans more sim and 1 is more "arcadey" is a short way to explain the difference.
Amen to your final statement. A lot of people forgive family for heinous injustice because "they're family" or time passed. You need to hold people accountable for their actions and have your opinions change accordingly.
Your abusers committed terrible atrocities to you and I'm glad they don't even deserve their familial title in your description. I'm glad you have new family that deserve being considered as such.