Welcome to the forum Pariah,
It’s because most people had higher expectation for AA 1942 than the actual game.
I personally like the new sculpts, it’s heftier!
I like the map also but not the map size, it’s too small, try to setup the board and you will know what I mean.
Also the borders for Europe are hard to tell.
The AA50 rules and costs are great.
It’s just that there was no news about AA 1942 only that new map, new sculpts, and new rules and everyone expected all the bells and whistles. If WotC/AH had come out and said it was Re-Revised than people wouldn’t have expected much and not have been disappointed.
I happen to think this game is great and just waiting for a chance to try different strategy.
Germany can buy bmbs or 2 subs a turn to try to sink the UK/US fleet in the Atlantic!
US can go after Japan with subs and not worry about losing subs to air.
Lots of possiblities.