Mike Z did a blog thing on Xrd if anyone wants more designer opinions
http://mikezsez.blogspot.com/2015/01/why-im-not-playing-ggxrd.html
I enjoyed this article, too; enjoyed it more than Sirlin's, for what it's worth, but both are good reads.
I still enjoy Xrd even if it does take steps back from Accent Core. I don't mind the Yellow Roman Cancel stuff, and I'm indifferent to Danger Time and the Hell Fire mechanic. One thing that I particularly enjoyed from the article was Mike Z discussing the easier inputs not being across the board.
Because fuck the Pot Buster input.
I still echo your sentiment. When I played I-No, and found out that her Chem Love special was changed to a quarter circle back motion, I found myself enjoying the character much more, but not every character has these input changes. Heck, even May's command throw got changed from a half circle back to a half circle back+forward motion, which baffles me. Some got easier, some got more difficult.
I'd settle for Potemkin Buster being turned into quarter circle back+dust, same with May's Overhead Kiss. These changes may yet happen, but I won't hold my breath. Until then, just gotta work on that muscle memory?