Sounds like you’ve discovered what many of us have realised - that if you self-limit to cut out all the stupid OP stuff, this game can actually be pretty good.
I think I’ve linked this to you in another thread, but just in case I’m mistaken: What Self-Restrictions do you Use?
From what you describe, you appear to have taken this to a much higher level than most of us (and I thought my own personal limits were severe 
), but the point remains the same - get rid of the OP crap and this can be a very tense, very enjoyable game.
But lots of people on these forums both like the OP crap and/or claim they cannot survive without it because they find the game so hard. Which is why I keep on banging the drum for Second Wave Options that allow players to decide just how (over-)powerful they want their soldiers to be.
In the absence of that, if there’s an enterprising modder out there who wants to give us a Second Wave Menu, where we can set limits to the skills our Squaddies have, it would be very welcome.