Yeah, I think for me it (many of Luanti's games) reiterates MC's aspects more than I'd like. (aside from the completely non-MC games, which can be hit-or-miss IMO)

This probably could be fixed, though it's a somewhat-specific laundry list of things (one is less inventory management due to clutter) so I imagine it's unlikely someone else will. I lack motivation, especially lacking a starting point. Although Luanti does seem like it's probably easier to create mods/games for (assuming I haven't missed something with MC, unless you could count data packs but I was gone before that made it to JE).

It's a bit of tonal whiplash trying those one-after-the-other (especially funny that Repixture has hunger but seemingly no sprinting, AoM is the opposite).

I like a lot of ways AoM does things, though I don't really like the fuel/cooking system (charcoal esp.) nor how they handle block movement (pistons esp., though disappointing that ropes/chains/block-welder don't work via the gate system AFAICT, and can only place 1 chain with node placer).

yes