You nailed it.
Bungie changed the way exotics and legendaries were 'earned'. They are now missions required. But to 'extend' the longevity of the game they time gated the missions and made some crazy farming missions.
Its preferable to do one mission many times to get exotics and GOOD legendaries (not the crapfest they give now) than do different complicated, frustrating (simply NOT FUN) missions that end with just one so so gun or situational exotic.
They complicated things. They need to go back to the basics. Basics that worked. Keep the good things from TTK (story, missions, strikes, continuity), but also bring back awesome guns and less randomness.
And for the love of God, QUIT stopping us from reaching the highest level cap!!! Right now it feels the game is not rewarding and also a grinding chore!