MTG died with the release of mirrodin. The change in card style really fucked with the atmosphere of the game. Destroyed the aesthetic. The nu-planes and then the planeswalkers and their shitty stories really fucked up the game. The art style after the change in card style was also garbage after 2003. It's much like comparing old fantasy art to newer fantasy art. Older art is generally aesthetically superior as it still had its SOVL.

The destruction of any semblance of balance was also garbage.

In summary. Old = good. New = bad.