I agree. Similarly to you I started about 15 years ago with 3.5 and I am pretty satisfied with 5e. I think the issue is for better or worse D&D is more or less

I agree. Similarly to you I started about 15 years ago with 3.5 and I am pretty satisfied with 5e. I think the issue is for better or worse D&D is more or less synonymous with Tabletop roleplaying games, especially when you are talking to people outside of the space. So many of the concepts from D&D from the attribute system (Strength, dexterity Constitution etc.) To the classes (Fighter, Ranger, Paladin and so on) show up all over the place in things like video games etc. At this point I think it's very hard to come up with a fantasy setting and not have it look like somewhat of a D&D clone. Outside the D&D D20 system I really like the World of Darkness system which is D10 based. I don't think it especially popular though.