Not sure I'd call DBC17 "half-arsed", BA don't seem the type to do low-effort cash grabs like that, but something did go very wrong with it and mistakes were made (i.e. releasing with some of the glaring bugs); I'm sure even fans of the game can admit that.
DBC14 was the better game in almost every aspect IMO, especially on PC with easier texture mods (better looking results than academy logo sharing). I had a lot of fun with DBC14, but 17 just never had anything to capture my attention and make me want to play it over other games... Steam shows 172 hours in DBC14 and just 18 in DBC17.