If I remember correctly, air block in 98 only works when you're jumping back or vertical, and does not guard against grounded attacks. Since being cornered is really bad in the game in general, I'd say it's not that big of a deal. If scrubs want to hold up back and put themselves in the corner voluntarily, I'm all for it.
I don't know what critical counter is, but I'd like to see critical hits again. Especially if they're bringing back Shingo. It ain't Shingo without all the critical hits.