Adding to this, I hate how the "buffed units" still renders them completely useless at the start. It makes the progression feel REALLY bad when you're upgrading from "useless cannon fodder" to "hey, we made a dent!" I feel more relieved that the grind is over than satisfied that I'm beating the heroines and turning the tables.
It's less a hard won battle, more W40K "Emperor's Hammer" where you just wear me and the enemy down by never stopping.