someguy - I own the core books...haven't played yet, but I've done a lot of reading. For the most part, all things considered, I like the new game.
Anyway, some things you said confuse me:
"...made the characters even more cookie cutter..." and "...its what they added. All those shades of gray."
I see those two statements as diametrically opposed. I mean, how can one complain of cookie-cutterishness and then turn around and complain of too many shades of gray?
Now, you are COMPLETELY entitled to believe that "4.0 is junk." I am just curious to know why...