Thank you Hywel for spelling out your concerns. It sounds like you have many issues with the game (as do many longtime D&Ders), and I hope you find a way to have fun with your rather large purchase. I have a couple issues with the review, though.
Your overall tone is highly negative, yet you rate it 4/4. It seems like the review text is an examination of this game as the newest in a succession, examining how this relates to other editions of D&D, and coming back to a frustrated, disappointed state, but then the numerical rating is a more objective "this game as a self-contained unit" score. That's the only way I could make sense of it. Is that accurate?
Roles, combat emphasis, exception-based rules, etc. have always been a big part of D&D, but now the designers come out and explain them so we can get the topic on the table, just like we're doing. Sure, people have used D&D for games with extensive non-combat segments (courtly intrigue, mystery, horror, gritty adventure) but this has always baffled me because it's never been especially good at these things. (There are many games that are, so please check them out because you might have a lot more fun) At least now the designers acknowledge this and focus on its strengths.
This seems to be a review of the PHB, not the DMG or MM. The DMG has extensive non-combat info as well as tools for making this edition a breeze to run compared to previous editions. I mean, many people here have compared it to Savage Worlds in that regard, so that should tell you something. The MM is of course combat focused, because it's full of things to kill and loot, but your gnomes and githzerai and warforged are in there too, ready to be converted to PC classes (not to mention orcs, bugbears, gnolls, lizardfolk...). If only there were bariaur, I'd be set!
I still haven't played, so I can't say for sure "Your gameplay experience will change your mind!" but I'd say give it a session or three. Savage Worlds doesn't look like much, but it shines when you break out the dice and minis. I hope to see you back after you've given it a spin so you can let us know if your opinion changed.
Thanks again for the review!