[@JBRam2002]

5e in general seems to simplify a lot of things.
5e combat seems to take after 4.0. offering more flexibility for all classes.
4.0 had more specialized spells for classes which made every class have pretty much a unique-ish spell/ability list.
5.0 however has pools like 3.5, which tends to make customization possible, but not as a complex array as 4.0.

The crafting system in 5e is lacking indeed, but I think that's because the item system itself is very sparse.
I mean I was at a loss at what to buy with gold as you can't purchase/craft magic items. And some spell components are overpriced for their effects I guess. Spell Scrolls would have been nice to have, or a least some minor magical items like eternal chalk or the immovable rod.