don't forget that the axe fx is an "imagination machine".
older fx units were very limited in terms of what you could do "under the hood". you just had to work with what you were given and often people had several units by different manufacturers, because each one had it's strong points, but no one single unit could do everything. hence the huge racks of yesteryear (i know i had one).
the axe fx is different. it let's you get under the hood and move things around...route them however you want...chain them up however you like. yes, you need to put in a bit more work sometimes, but with imagination and a little skill you can create almost anything you want. i do get a bit tired of people complaining that the axe doesn't do this, or doesn't do that, doesn't have a button for this or a block for that...when actually it does...you just have to make it yourself. this is the real power of the axe fx. it can be all things to all men...no limitations. yes, some of the fx blocks could be improved or expanded and i'm sure cliff and the team will get round to it soon, but even as things stand, it's probably one of the most creative hardware sound design tools out there for guitarists at the moment.