Getting back in after 1.5

Good evening (or morning) to all.

Back a couple months ago what with the whole update thing and associated backlash, I decided to simply leave for a while and wait for it all to blow over. I hope it has by now, because I have a few questions after deciding to crawl out from under the rock. While I'd quite like to get back into Call of War, I'm not going to if I'm just going to go inactive after a few days out of dislike of 2.0. So, if somebody who's actually been playing could tell me the following:

1. Has the community changed in any way as a result? More or less activity, more of fewer noobs & rage quitters, better or worse sportsmanship, etc.
2. Has the gameplay itself changed in any way? Has anything in the game mechanics been altered?
3. I've heard something about the terrain bonus being changed or something. What exactly does that entail?
4. What about the maps? Are they still all the same ones as before, or have some been added or removed?
5. The commands, tools etc. have been updated, of course. But have the aesthetics of the units themselves, or the map, changed? I'd like some screenshots up close, if you have any. This is petty, but I think it matters.
6. Finally, it appears from the home screen that one can arbitrarily make one's own games without waiting for the admin to open them as in 1.5. Is this true? Does this have any noticeable impact on how active everybody is? Won't everybody snaffle the good nations like Japan or Britain, leaving the bad ones unplayed? Or is it limited in some way - e.g., it is a Premium feature?
7. Is there any way to still play 1.5, and is it active?
8. Is there anything else I should know?

If there is some ban in the forums on discussion re 2.0 vs 1.5, I apologise for my impropriety and plead ignorance.