You've learned how the mobs move and attack by playing. You've also leveled up your skills which makes it easier too.

Nope, you just got better. Try punching a boar without eating first or fighting Eikthyr without a shield. A stone ax that hasn't been upgraded will take two hits to kill a boar and if you aggro three of them you'll remember.

I believe the only enemy which got severely nerfed was the deathsquito, i remember that thing dealing like 100 damage early on one shotting you. They were absolutely ridiculous, you just couldn't outrun them, getting close to a plains meant you were dead. In my latest playthough, i got close to plains, saw one of them coming towards me and i knew, i was dead...... 40 damage, with lvl 3 troll armor, bit less than half my health, could even parry them with a bronze buckler, which i couldn't do before.

Also, i seem to encounter far less 1 and 2* fulings, i remember encountering them by the dozens in a few minutes, now i'm lucky to see 1 or 2 a night, mostly none.

Meadows are much easier now, I've been back playing for a few weeks now (started a new biome).
In my opinion the Meadows are much easier now, some Deer just stand still even when you pass them, Boars are numerous and no challenge at all, Necks still do nothing and Trolls use their throwing skill and it always misses.
Meadows needs a buff for even new players must find it a no challenge area now.

Still i jumped out of my chair when an Abomination spawned next to me in the swamps, this was a fun new wtf moment!, but sadly it's pathing is terrible so it is easy to kill.
Anyway it feels good to be back playing.

You might just be better at it! I have found boars spawn more frequently now in the meadows, and there even seems to be a slightly scarier musical composition as you get close to the black forest. Easier and perhaps more fun!