Haven't played since it first came out... need advice

I beat the original game back when it was hot garbage. Still loved it and played all endings and most of everything I could. Since then, I haven't touched it.

I have heard it is a totally different game nowadays and I want to start a fresh playthrough. Give me the high level need-to-knows before I dive back in. Don't want to go down the wrong tree or build a shit character.

P&T