[jokoon]

I don't think there are languages similar to C in term of simplicity, close to the metal and speed.

C++ is good enough for me, but it's so slow to compile, and I don't use its most advanced features.

I wish there was a language between C and C++, without the complex semantics you can find in rust and other exotic syntax.

I don't necessarily love C or C++ in term of feature, but the syntax is just what i need. Why can't language designers write a language that is closer to C, with fancy features that don't change the language so much?

[felixangell]

Maybe you would like the BetterC mode in the D programming language... if you mean you like C for it's syntax too. A lot of modern systems prog. languages seem to adopt a more modern syntax, i.e. types after the names rather than before, no semi-colons, etc.

D stays true to C in this regard and offers a lot of fancy features. And the BetterC mode sounds suited to your requirements in that the language features doesn't over complicate things.

[Aardappel]

https://ziglang.org/ is almost exactly what you're asking for.

[Bulat-Ziganshin]

I personally prefer Nim. there is also Zig and D.