I'm currently using Kvaesitso. It's different, but it's worth a try There's also discreet launcher

Man I'm so with you. I love my 6 icon home screen with swipe actions and "secret" menus (with Tasker)

Have been using Niagara launcher for a while. Quite a different feeling than normal launcher but really great. You can swipe up from any app icon to either open a folder of more apps or attach widgets to a small pop up screen. Super handy and I love it.

I have not found another launcher that has the swipe up and down on home screen icons to open other apps

Do you mean using folder icons as app list covers, so that a tap opens the app and a swipe opens the folder? If so, Action Launcher does that (if I'm not mistaken it was the first to do so, and it's swipe up or down). Neo Launcher also has it (swipe up only).

I use Evie Launcher. It does some of the things you say. You need to find the apk somewhere, bc it's no longer available on play/aurora store

Some of that is supported by Action Launcher

This is the main feature keeping me on Nova.