Dissapointed, but I already expect to be disappointed, so in turn I won't be disappointed.
I don't use the built in random gen so I'm not sure I will even notice the improvements -- there are already several good ways to already generate good maps. So unless the results are far beyond my expectations -- then I see no difference. The funniest part of this one is they used to defend the random gen. I personally made several posts on how bad it was (after A16) until giving up on it and moving on to other methods. -- I got skewered by players.. devs.. and everyone in between. So, at least they have seen the light and are fixing it.
Primitive weapons will be cool for the first few days until they are junk.
Smaller upgrade path to materials - not good.
The things looked the most interesting to me got pushed to to A21 -- character overhaul and AI/sleeper improvements.
My feeling is Madmole is not interested in this Alpha as he was A18/19 -- this has all the signs of another A17 turd.