The early 2E game was okay. We waited a while to transition from 1E, and when we did we kept a lot of our favorite rules from 1E. The middle part of 2E was its golden age, when it pumped out some of the best campaign settings (which started its downfall, competing against itself). The late 2E was aweful, with the "Player's Option" books causing the end of several groups (and too many friendships). By the time 3E was announced, I was totally ready for it.