there are like three times more monsters and the game generates far larger groups now...at random seemingly. I just fought 12 Dryads over three rooms along with 3 green slimes that mauled my immobalized body to death.

Which is AWESOME and I totally approve of but...jesus...

Heh...well, as far as I know, I haven't touched that code in several versions. So, I think your copy of MG was simply trying to lull you into a false sense of security. It's sneaky like that.