Not sure if this is a solvable problem. You can either take other people's words for it, knowing it's possibly just a vocal minority and doesn't even represent the majority of players, nevermind yourself specifically, or you can just play it yourself.

I do recall the devs suggested starting over, in any case. A lot of the gripes I've seen are from players continuing saves and having things not work the way they used to. I personally only started playing after H&H, so I'm having no issues because I don't have anything to skew my perception.

So maybe try it out but on a new save instead of continuing your existing one? That way you get to see the changes as the emerge at their intended pacing, instead of suddenly being broadsided by changes impacting your existing game.