I mean like clearly late on this opinion lmao buuut on my progress through the series mannn 3 is a massive jump in feel and presentation from 2.
I skipped Another Age (It's like 100 missions and while the levels are supposed to be better, most is the same). One and two were really fun, and two wasn't a crazy difference but 3 is awesome right out of the gate. I'd read the sentiment that 3 is a great start on the classic ones and I really see that for sure.
The intro cutscene, the way the menus/missions are presented, and the different shop/garage setups are all really big steps up. Plus movement and such just feel a lot more fluid? Great music so far too. Some cool mission references/remixes also, like the worker MT occupied base and such that was the first mission in 1.
The missions/info on them are fantastic too. In the first and second there were tons of missions and emails that clearly showed betrayal and working against other corps. But three goes to the maximum, companies emailing about the 'problems of X' and setups that directly lure others into ploys or entire missions about framing companies (with extra pay for attacking civilians). Like it's SEEPED in it now, not just hints and occasional things till the end accelerates it.
Also, I'm sure it's happened before but the Union Assault was so cool, a full-scale base push with a bunch of members straight out of the Arena being mentioned by name was really neat.