Getting used to 4th edition?

[Saph]

Are these restrictions I'm saying real in actual gameplay?

To an extent. You can still do things in a way that goes against type, you'll just be less effective.

If so, then why are things this way? Why can't you make character concepts that WotC didn't plan for?

4e is designed to be a more restrictive system than 3.5. You can describe a character any way you like, but you have to accept that mechanically, your set of choices is limited. The plus side to this is that it's more balanced and easier to learn; the price you pay for it is fewer options. It's a tradeoff.