I understand what you are saying and I agree that it is less edgy/dark. Ocean reinforces a different aspect of the MC - how hard it is for him to climb out of the pit of isolation where he chose to live for years.
Now the MC has multiple near panic attacks, one with Maja while she is driving the MC home and another where the crowd in college starts to overwhelm him and he has to go to an empty classroom to try to regain control.
This leads to the prefect encounter and once the prefect grabs the MC, all bets are off and he hits the prefect so hard, he knocks him down, then flees, recognizing that he has to work on his temper. (This adds to the story and currently, consequences are unknown, but I'm sure that there will be some kind of consequence.)
The Nojiko porch scene is, I believe, a great add.
It reinforces the MC/Nojiko relationship and her unconditional love. She is there for him, sharing whatever he wants and needs - be it the comfort of silence or talking about what is on his mind. Beza's 'Watching From The Stars' is a great music addition, especially given how much music we lost due to licensing issues.
This scene helps to balance the increased fragility of the MC's psyche as he pushes himself to rejoin the world.
Some people better identify with the pre CH 4.5 version of the MC, who was darker/more edgy.
I identify with the MC better now, in CH 4.5 given the way Ocean has done the rework.
I also like the way he is adding the beginning of the Sasha route in the CH 2 rework, with the Sasha friend encounter in the classroom when he is trying to recover after almost being overwhelmed by the crowd.
Ocean will never be able to give us all of what we want/hope for.
In the end, I believe he will give us a great story, with amazing renders and music, and most
(TM) of the LIs we want to enjoy!
Cheers!