Sh4 still playable, even with the all bugs?

After reading all the bug threads, I am too scared to buy the game now. What are people's opinion on this, we know that there are bugs in the game, however, are these bugs so major that it ruins the game entirely, or is the game still playable?

Another question for the people who has been playing this, is that is the gaming experience very reminiscent with SH3, what i mean that does it feel like playing the same game again, or does it involve so much new that it feels like it is definatelly worth getting this one (feels like a better game than SH3 was - which was already extremely good)?

Is there finally wolfpacks in the SH4?