While I loved all the previous versions I'm going to comment on this new version how it is, so we can hopefully see some improvement.
Combat: Honestly, I have really liked how the combat is playing out now. It's still challenging, but after understanding it the first few fights become pretty easy should you think about your actions. I have no idea what the heat or mood system is for, as we are not able to interact with these systems much at all. I know depending on your mood Saria will become hornier throughout the fight like previous versions, and I believe that has an influence if the enemy attacks or tries a mind reduction move. Since mind is not recoverable you are essentially on a clock after your mood increases, as once it is zero you lose the fight and go to the sex cutscene. It feels very and fluid and responsive with only a few bugs I will mention at the end. I really want more ways to interact with sequences and heat though, as it's very bare bones for now. Fights for now are just understanding what does 2x and 0.5x damage and swapping effectively.
One gripe with the combat is it can be a little RNG dependent. Against the jailer if he performs a few specific attacks in sequence one back to back even playing as safe as I could against him I found it very unwinnable. This might become a reoccurring problem for future enemies should we not have a way to interact with the sequence or at least give us better ways to consistently move first (similar to initation in D&D)
Another gripe I have is lack of explanation. I am only given how slash interacts with every other system and have to figure out the rest myself, but because I believe enemies will have varience damage I do not know the combat system and have no way to actively figuring it out myself except with very repetitive trial and error. (For any wondering every attack has a 2.0x multiplyer on the same stance, rest still unsure)
Story: While I wish we had more choice between now what seems like a binary maiden or corrupted slut, I do enjoy the story more focused like this. Previous versions added some world building through exploration, but with how it was spaced out it, it felt very bare bones and inconsistent with pointless areas other than get a special item that might not do much. I think the entirety of the game will be improved by this more focused approach.
Sexy stuff: Putting this here, as it feels separate pretty separate from combat for now. All the CGs and artwork are still top tier like previous versions. The new CGs for every battle loss and in between decisions add a lot personally rather than seeing the same commented about her tits cut-in. Because it feels separate from combat though, it does not feel like we can lean into the corruption except with those choices that so far only let us skip one fight. You either play to your best and maiden it or take losses to see the scenes and continue/reload.
Bugs: 1. So far one bug I've found is I'm able to edit and completely remove enemies attacks if it is the last move in the sequence by clicking on it and clicking the empty space where my moves would be. My moves then replace theirs and the enemy does not perform an action. 2. Another is the cut in for losing battle 1-1, after losing it one of the cocks and cum they spray on Saria during the CG stay on my scene indefinitely. Saving with it like this and reloading did fix the issue, so not sure if it's an event not closing or what to help.
Comparison: This section will be soley dedicated to comparing this new version to the legacy. Personally, I did perfer the open world but I can completely understand how this hurts development and why you took the game in this direction. I hate how little content there is compared though. I really enjoyed the side job aspect which will probably not be able to return unless we gain more player freedom after completing the act and rescuing our party. I know content will only grow with time, so I am not that disappointed in it and hope it will only get better with time.