The fact that the developer does not read and does not care matters little, we're free to discuss and criticize. You cannot criticize a shit movie with fellows nowadays? You can't type your opinions (no matters how repetitive, and maybe if a majority of the users repeat 'em there's something behind it) in a forum with your fellow degenerates?
KoD had a weird development, and I distinctly remember their points that the "simplified" art was to ensure faster content production. That didn't happen. The writing, even the smut writing, is becoming more and more "functional" - AI generated smut is more engaging, while here it's clear the writer is running to finish the scene because he doesn't care. Also, some characters flat-out disappeared (who remembers the martial artist from the previews? I do).
I find the Take No Prisoners/GTA perspective fascinating, because it's another clear attempt at optimization. It's copy&paste low effort at its best, and I bet my pants that you could find an artist that would manage to draw all the tokens required in 1-2 days. Nomo also clearly still has the skills to do proper art (the Nun scene from a couple of extras ago) but by the Gods, it's extremely clear he's focusing on speed at any chance. What game can say that the art from
five-six years ago was utterly on another level compared to its contemporary assets?
Artists are supposed to improve. Writing is supposed to get better. Cutting corners on this level is noticeable, and it's our goddamn right to complain in a pirate forum.