Warhammer 40 000 already accounts for more than 25 years. Sure, there are not only the rules, which evolve, but also the miniatures. Let's look at some old miniatures compared to their new colleagues.
It's really interesting fact that old elements are present in today's miniatures. Note the missile launchers here - now they are released for Horus Heresy marines and represend an old pattern. Even the armor, which used to be on every space marine model is now called MK7 "Corvus"
Сказать, что терминаторский доспех изменился в лучшую стороны - значит, ничего не сказать.
Blood Slaughterer of Khorne - isn't an often thing to see on the table. Weird rules, Forgeworld manufacturing only - all this make him unpopular. However, if he was like he used to be - I bet, nobody would use him at all.
Marvellous transformation - Imperial Knights. They used to be small pale walkers, but now they are giant titan-like creations and one of the most successful Games Workshop models.
Ork dreadnaught initially was... paper made. And even 2D. Nivce way to quickly and cheap field your army, right?
Orks differed from their fantasy counterparts only in range weapons. Well, it's really nice, that modern models have changed.
In case of the Wraithlord changes are rather evolutionary. By the way - there are a lot of players who concider old models better and warmer.
Square bases are Fantasy Battle legacy. They stayed this way for a long time for monsters.
And here's the hottest release of this fall. It's great that GW gets inspiration from their old models, and return them improved,renewed and adapted to the modern wargame.