Couldn't agree more. That's exactly what I felt like when Quake III came out... "Why is the screen so busy? So much garbage to distract from the game".
Maybe I'm just old now, but damn I loved Q2.
Also, all of the mods were incredible. Hopefully they will work... I think I have my WOD paks around still.
Getting in shape and having a regular exercise routine, for sure. All of the side effects from that are incredible... Stamina, confidence, clearer thinking. So great.