Newest Snapshot Thoughts/Issues

I have been playing a world recently on snapshot 21w08b for 1.17 and I have nearly 7 hours on the world already. Here are some general issues and thoughts I've had.

--Things I've Noticed--

-I have run into 3-4 single chunk wide strips of the world that are completely dark, even if I place torches or update the surrounding blocks. This strips are usually at least 3-4 chunks long, too.

-Diamonds seem nearly nonexistent. I've looked at the recent ore distribution rates and have tried mining below 0, and I still have not come across diamonds this way. The only way I have found diamonds is through 3 veins and I have spent probably 4-5 hours of this world mining. Maybe my luck is just bad though.

--Opinions--

-Caves seem way too mazey. I love the larger, more open look to the caves, though. But it has taken me nearly 4 hours to explore ONE cave and I'm not even close to finished. I think the amount of forks in the road should be limited slightly.

-Cracks are WAY too common imo. I have had to cover up 5 within a 100 block radius. 

-I miss lava lakes :(

-I actually LOVE the new ore textures. Although I've only found a few diamonds, I can say the deepslate diamond is probably my new favorite ore block. Copper is beautiful, too.

-I absolutely love the new little ponds that form with the aquifer caves on the surface. Also, surface generation has changed a little bit to accommodate this changes, which has caused more hills and more cut offs, which I love.