Comparing NC to other well-known games of the same sub-genre -- Cannon Spike and Shock Troopers -- the part I played wasn't all that fun. I was basically mowing down regenerating enemy drones and aircraft until I ran into the mutant-maneating-plant-thing sub boss (I died and moved to another booth after that). Didn't leave a strong impression on me but that was just the first level of the game.
The control is great though. The analog stick lets you fire a full 360° instead of just 8 directions (and you can lock your firing direction while running by holding L1)