Getting in a few games of 8th lately. Played against Ogres a few weeks ago in an interesting game with multiple failed charges from both of us. Played against Vampire Counts a week ago which ended in a draw. I have a game coming up in two days against the player in our group with multiple armies. I never know what I will be playing against until I arrive so I am looking forward to it.
The way I look at it, Mannfred protected Warhammer Proper from the machinations of Games Workshop. He severed the ties to current day GW and AoS. The constant updates, invalidations and other nonsense are no longer a concern. I understand that most people prefer (and even require) a supported game, but I have found myself to be perfectly content with the current (and eternal) state of 8th edition.
It's certainly a way to look at it. Mannfred may be similar to Erebus and Horus Heresy. Both were the final executors of complex conspiracies that were running since a long time... in Mannfred's case, he was just the last tool used by GW to enhance its plan to end WHFB
THB, i'm really happy for TOW. It's not WHFB, but it's close enought and it's supported, and my gaming group follows supported games (wIth the only exception of Mordheim, which was occasionally played since 2 or 3 years ago, but now no more).
To each their own. Scrapping most of the best factions really killed it for me. That and the neutering of the magic phase.