I won't try to defend 'in from the cold' because it feels like they wanted to throw in a new mechanic and have a different experience but didn't really think of how to incorporate it properly into the story, combined with not wanting to upset people too much, so it comes across as weird for a lot of people.

For me, once I died because I tried to beeline it for the camp not realizing there was a very specific Sierra adventure games-esk style of 'puzzle' I was supposed to solve, the illusion was shattered and I just got annoyed by it, I didn't feel what I was supposed to feel. Not to mention the nonsensical motivations from the villains, and lack of any relevance after the quest, just made the whole quest fall flat imo.

Also, on the 'eating before a battle' thing, I'm convinced that the only reason people don't like that scene is because they don't like the characters. If it was Fordola, Gaius, and Jullus having a super edgy gathering where they all mocked the scions while eating super detailed military rations, I'm sure a lot of the naysayers would suddenly be thrilled.