I prefer the Gothic I way, where you needed to press CTRL and the up arrow to interact. Also jumping has changed, no up arrow needed, just ALT. The combat controls are fine. Is there a way to enable the old controls?

There is a setting to change the combat controls, but not for interacting and jumping.

Really? For all the mushrooms and flowers you pick up, you'd rather have that extra step? Next you'll tell me you prefer Gothic 1 inventory management! But, you like what you like.