Curious what you mean by "more than old-school RPG". Are you talking about the co-op features? Could care less about that. I didn't really think the Original Sin games were that good, I think they were Ok at best and they WAY over did the environment effects use in combat scenarios. I also dont like how they are in big chunks of land masses and you cannot freely explore the entire world as you want but have to move through chapters to see new areas.
Count me in the camp that thinks it looks like the OS2 engine with D&D rules added in.
Speaking about old-school that is what I prefer personally and again I am curious what innovations you are talking about? If its social aspects or co-op could care less about that too. Maybe new school is also console ports?
Pillars of Eternity franchise didn't sell great because of the writing IMO not the style of game it was. It had large lore dumps all over the place with bland boring writing and just didnt draw people in that much myself included. I liked the first game but didnt love it.
Also why do all the characters in BG3 look like they just came from the hair salon in Beverly Hills?
My grandfather didn't care about cellphones when they became the thing of the future. The fact that you don't care about something does not mean it isn't good, or even necessary.
To me, co-op is essential, but maybe that's because I have someone to play with and I've grown with different groups of online roleplayers that have rolled dice in every possible online media, from Roll20 to Sword Coast Legends, loving an hating every one of them for different reasons.
To me, verticality is also essential.
To me, a polished and responsive user interface is essential.
To me, having abilities with tactical value that feel impactful and battletide-swinging are essential.
To me, that my spells and abilities have environmental impact and can create opportunities (or calamities) for your party is also essential.
To me, beautifully animated 3D environments are essential.
To me, even that the Githyanki companion looks like she came out from the hair salon in Beverly Hills is essential, in a way.
I don't particularly care about console ports, but if it brings more people to the game, sure, why not? As long as the game doesn't suffer because it has to be accommodated to the fact that it will need to be played with a controller, I'm game.
Maybe you think you could call your mom just the same if you just wait to get home and dial up her number, but the world somehow preferred cellphones. And I somehow prefer games that live up to what the modern technologies can offer.