So I gave Zexal another chance...last time I gave up around Episode 15 or so, now I'm on Episode 29.
You know, I can see why a lot of people dislike this show---it pretty much throws previous Yu-Gi-Oh series completely out of the window besides some shallow homages to the original series, and it definitely feels like it's aimed at a younger age group than previous series, and even Arc-V. I imagine the end of Episode 24 where Yuma goes Zexal for the first time probably made a lot of long-time Yu-Gi-Oh fans freak out in disgust.
But honestly...I kind of like it? It's definitely different, but I feel the show has a real sense of energy to it with some interesting designs (Heartland really grew on me as being a cool little setting that's quite unique looking), and some good humor especially with the Yuma and Astral relationship. The animation seems far better than what we get in Arc-V too, and I think the Duels also feel a little more solid and less cheap here than they do in Arc-V. It seems like the people behind Zexal had an idea as to what they wanted the series to be, and didn't flinch from just going all-out with it.