I agree on the subject of how pointless those little nuances are. :/ All they do is cause pointless pondering about how all those differences in the plot don't mean jack in the end, and don't tie in together cohesively. ANNOYING. >:/

Here's my "why does...?"
Why does Sega/K2 have to use the same engine that the very first game was modeled around for Fatal Shadows? The game has a pretty good following of fans? Decent if not anything else? Why not take advantage of the foot hold the game had, since it was like the first stealth/sneaking game, and I don't know CHANGE IT FOR THE BETTER SOMEHOW?
Let's face it, combat stinks. I'd like to be a lot more versatile like say, oh I don't know... A NINJA MAYBE?
I like the fact that FS took a different approach with the plot, rather than use the omnipotent evil sorceror convention. :/
The game deserves some attention to make it better, and fans deserve something better too because we go out and buy the game anyway, don't we?