i see it as more realism, i havent played with it much either but what you call ‘‘control’’ is what some other people would call mechanical, if you get the same speed no matter the way you move and can move instantly, for me atleast i feels kinda arcadey.
i still think it should be changed so moving forward gives full speed but moving to the side and backwards will make you move slower. some will say ‘‘its not full control’’ and being able to move instantly works in some games (thinking of wildstar right now) but i would prefer to see more of a smite ish movement system, it feels clunky at first but it forces you to move a specific way or get punished, meaning you cant just run backwards kiting and doing dmg, but rather having to run away from the enemy to get full speed. but those are just my thoughts on the movement.
i see what you mean with slide, in my eyes it makes sense, have you ever tried running and then stopping? you dont lose all momentum at one point and instantly stop but rather low down and then stop.