So, by removing terrain that was completely optional to use we can move forward?
Yes. If it was optional to have terrain in the game, then we wouldn't be having the problems we are having now. It has to go. It looks bad and outdated, and the overwhelming majority of terrain maps have a level of detail equivalent to a Nintendo 64 game. As I said before,
This is 2012, not 1995. It is time to move on.
And to be honest, I myself rarely ever build on terrain maps. 99% of everything I build is on a slate map.
What "features"? All I saw are shaders.
Greatly improved vehicle physics, faster ghosting times, less lag with builds, rain not penetrating builds, etc...