I remember when 0.31 was released, and although it took a while we had hospitals and new combat squads. Definite differences to the gameplay, even if it didn't seem like very many for such a long time. All the simulation work on materials and combat just wasn't noticeable to me except for introducing the glass bug.
This release we have werewolves, vampires and husks and zombies. Rather than giving us new tools to play with (ie. gameplay) we've got more content, more things to interact with using the same tools. I think this is why I'm feeling a little down about this release, especially after being told there would be work on the wishlist items. (That's right, I don't care in the least about adventurer mode.)
I want DF to live up to its promise, and keep improving and getting closer to that, but perhaps that's asking too much. There are business models in children's branding (Ben10, MTV, etc.) where the brand doesn't grow with the customer but just lets them go to be replaced by someone else. If DF is now progressing too slowly for some old timers like me I think there are enough new people to keep the DF community going.
I'll skip this one and show up next time there's a release. Looking forward to the moving fortress structures and trap rework.