When you say "original game" I assume you mean the first CoC. And yeah, I did play it when it was still being actively developed. Not right out of the gate, but I started playing when the game became well known around the net, and I never encountered any leveling or stat cap problems. If combat ever tied you down, you just go to the gym in Tel'Adre and spend a few minutes grinding your stats up. There were only ever a handful of enemies where you needed to grind actual levels for the perk points.
As for TiTs, I never have and never will play it. I'm sure other people like it but for me it's just a world setting problem. I like the fantasy RP. Not so hot for the modern space epic stuff.