Found on my front porch today...

It's more streamlined and simpler (stuff like the new Age of Sigmar inspired Morale rules highlight this), but it's still a notch above AoS I think. What's kind of funny is that I think it may be simpler than Shadow War's ruleset. Although, of course it doesn't have the campaign and gear options to kit guys out like Shadow War.

Heh, yeah, 8th is simpler than Shadow War! But it is still somewhat between that and AOS- mainly because the unit rules are more complex and more nuanced than in AOS. And there are other elements in the mix too, like rules for Cities of Death, Planetstrike, Death From Above and so forth. But the actual process is about as complex as AOS, with LOTS of things streamlined.

I would definitely say it is a new direction for 40k, in much the same way that AOS was. It's not as radical a departure, but it is pushing the game out in a much more modern and accessible way. I think the Primaris Marines, for example, are really kind of a subtle push toward doing away with the need to have, you know, like 50 SMs plus whatever support, HQ, vehicles and so forth you need...and instead having smaller units like in AOS.

I especially like how there are MANY ways to play...if you want to do hardcore competitive with full points and requiring Battleforged armies (meaning your list is built to specific requirements), you can. You can also use an alternate "power" system instead of the points for a more casual game. Like in AOS, it has the whole Narrative, Open, and Matched play system. Campaigns, one-offs, Apocalypse, 1000 points...whatever you want, this edition accommodates everything.

The biggest streamlining is how all units use the same rules. There used to be different rules for infantry, vehicle, walker and monstrous creatures. Now they're all the same except for a frw keywords.

A lot of things are made simpler also.

OK, I can't agree here that SW is more complicated than AoS. AoS "hides" its rules in the warscrolls. It is kind of like what FFG does with dumping half of their rulebook on cards.
I also find SW more intuitive, of course, because I'm used to video games squad-based tactics, everything makes a lot of sense if you're in that mindset.