Yeah so I hated on this game a whole bunch when it came out and still have a lot of issues with it, but it finally clicked. I don't know if it's because I'm not playing NGB as much these days or if I just learned how to enjoy it without critiquing every single thing about it, but I can now cut shit up with my level 3 claws and kusami-gara with a smile. The mission mode DLC is kind of a rip since the first 8 missions on normal last about 20 seconds each, but they are better on the harder difficulties (still, they're cut and pasted fights, not missions.) Karma multipliers are fun as hell though for the score junky in me...even more power up shmup elements like that would make it completely kick ass.
All in all, Itagaki, even though you sleep on a pile of money and vending machine panties at night, the game ain't half bad.