The matrix combat itself might have been simple, but it had actual layouts that made the whole experience much more interesting. All the matrix runs in SRR are totally linear paths with unavoidable combat along the way, and maybe a datastore on the side with some trivial bonus reward. The Gen version had seperate nodes for elevators, cameras, security alarm, a central core that could shut down everything or turn off the alarm, multiple datastores of varying types, I/O nodes that could only be accessed from the specific terminals inside the building in question and served as shortcuts into the depths of the system. It was awesome.
And yeah, it had plenty of spells too. Probably about the same amount, but in the Gen game the variety was better because you could actually cause mental damage and cause various status effects. Though in both games I rarely used most spells (though for very different reasons; trying to get your mages to use spells properly was like pulling teeth, they always switched to something retarded like a super high level stoneskin and then hurt themselves casting it. In SRR there simply weren't any other decent spells, especially since you can only equip a handful for a run.)
And Dragonfall gameplay in general got VERY repetitive after a while. Every fight was just me standing behind cover lobbing lightning balls at enemies. Eventually I got OP enough I could just send Glory out to flank people and things went quicker, but it was still repetitive. Which I wouldn't mind, except it was also SLOOOOOW. Slow combat that poses no challenge is THE fucking sin of game development. At least Gen combat was generally over in a few seconds, one way or another. The parts outside of combat weren't much better. What really kept my going was really only the setting and investment in the plot.
But even if you don't think the gameplay can be compared because they're different types of games, the atmosphere absolutely can be. And SRR fails there, really hard. Shit like Blitz's goofy fuckups, or mystical super elf chick dropping epic prophesies on you just don't fit in. I think the goofiest thing in the old game was some innkeepers cracking jokes about their shitty accommodations. And they ran the gammut of the setting; you had wilderness encounters that were scary, creepy vampires or mages roaming the streets, lone star hassling you, gangs fucking with you, corporate shitheads, security goons, sleek offices and run down slums, dive bars and classy clubs you need rep to get into. And it was ALL well done. Not a single shitty character like Blitz or the goofy scientist to ruin the mood.