5e has alignment, but there aren't actually any rules that depend on your alignment. I think they threw it in because it's D&D and you're supposed to have it?
It's also, a pretty cool take on the "Elementalist" concept. By not making it a new full caster class and just adding a bunch of new elemental themed spells they can diferente the class from wizard or druid and let it shine on its own. While also opening up a new play style, the elemental blaster concept is not currently well represented and the Kineticist should theoretically fill that niche.
Oh I thought of another one, any fun fluff/only useful for a very specific occasion spells like Personal Rain Cloud
What are some of your standout feats from Kineticist? Are there new fun elemental spells?