I can only tell you that it gets much better later, for various definitions of 'better' - in my case, simply getting stronger weapons. I don't know why it is like this, but your previous shotgun and rocket launcher will feel like shooting wet tissues after getting the railgun and the spread gun and rifle. I also feel like it's trying to overcomplicate things; from the unhelpful weapon and combo names to the different different systems interacting with each other, unlocking in different tiers - I didn't feel like those changed the gameplay too much anyway, and a simpler solution like in Severed Steel would've been easier.

In many ways, I come back to playing Severed Steel instead, but Desync is still a welcome, albeit generic edition - and I do appreciate its diversity in enemies, weapons and its inclusion of boss fights. It might feel a bit generic with its background synthwave beats, but I cannot deny that it does feel good to play later on.