I like two, because I want a 52t or 53t ring up front. But I see OP's point--the gear ranges and number of gears are actually decreasing with the 1x trend after years of marketing increases in those were huge advantages that everyone "needs".

I don't find it that strange, though. People who don't need the high ratio ranges find the relative mechanical simplicity of 1x a virtue unto itself. I don't want it, but as long as I can find what I want, I don't mind other people's preferences being marketed. .