Art style change in season 1 update

I don't know if anyone has pointed this out on here yet but I'm not quite on board with the change in art direction with this new update. I'm aware that people seem iffy on the art direction to begin with but I like it to be honest. The changes might seem subtle at first but I noticed right away and I don't think they are any kind of improvement to me. 

Regardless here's my thoughts on the changes, they seem a little unnecessary to me and more so a panic response to players critical of the art style.