Current status of the game.

Hello there,
Somewhat long time player dipping their toes back into the game after a long long pause.
Just wanted to get the current layout on the game and share some small grievances and impressions.
I know skill issue mostly, no doubt but does anyone feel drones were a mistake? I miss the times when there were none and a kill was a kill and you did not have to destroy all drones just to be sure.
When I left there was only a basic drone and I see they actually have doubled down on drones, damn. I admit some of them have some cool functions but IDK, I feel the game was better without them.
Speaking of skill issues, Twinkle seems insanely good, I guess new Starpass heroes are still overcooked on release for the pump and dump.
The shotgun girl that goes underground seems kinda cool, not OP but nice idea. But she sounds like Arnie when she does her special, which always confuses me lol and I look up so to speak and then get deleted from below.
Lastly, if anyone could be kind enough to let me know the current meta and most played heroes by class.
I have seen less Mirages than in her hayday for example, was she usurped by another sniper? Is Ghost still the SMG terror I remember him for, who rules the shotguns now etc etc.
Thank you.