Nope, they did not, Bay and Polaris still have them, and they even added species restrictions to it before we did.
Slow-down can be reduced by toggling chestpiece and hyperzine, so not that big of an issue. Less EMP resistant is soo situational I don't consider it a playing factor. Vision reduction is annoying, but is it that big of a debuff that accounts for the absolutely insane protection values? All hardsuits have vision restriction when offline, though. Also, as a traitor, you can get modules for it. Or as a robotist. So I don't consider it not having modules a debuff either.
In space, you go pretty much the same speed as some engie walking along the wall with magboots. The slowdown is also in effect, though less so, on the other suits, and vision is very situational given that the helm and visor can be toggled when not in space and in space you don't have the movespeed restriction and the EMP will have already disabled most energy weapons.