People complain all the time when sequels are just more of the same, and now a dev actually does try something different and everyone gets all teary eyed that they changed anything. I am glad they switched things up after there already being 3 games that play very similar within 1 gen.
These guys happen to be the most respected by the community & even EPIC recognized them and invited them to their own EPIC studio months ago, all these guys have been pretty positive up until than. On your second point, GOW has gone through plethora of changes through its life cycle, from GOW/1>2>3 and all are not the same from a focus and design point, GOWJ though is just on another stratosphere.
GOW1: Designed around Execution
GOW2: Warzone
GOW3: Team Deathmatch
GOWJ: Free For All
all completely different design focus points, so where is the consistency? where are they taking this franchise?
honestly its all in the player pool numbers just have a look, today online the numbers were
1300+ Team Deathmatch
1100+ Overrun
800+ Execution
Worldwide.
If thats not a kick in the pants then i dont know what is, GOW1/2/3 never had those numbers so quick after launch I have seen these numbers considerable drop over the past couple of weeks, but i have also seen them higher around 3000+ on weekends given modes but those drops are scary, im sure EPIC is watching those numbers and are in complete shock.
Being a Gears MP fan is just tiresome, just when they do something completely right with GOW3 we get something like GOWJ that totally throws the faith gamers have in your product, numbers dont lie, the players are dropping, its no coincidence.