If the enemy AI do not respond to Ellie's stupid actions then they cancel each other out. 

Some cons are really just hatin' to hate.
Also you can't upgrade everything in 1 playthrough.
And play on survival for you second game, you won't have the problem with joels hearing stuff.

I agree with not beeing able to pick up your dead enemies. I was dissapointed by that tbh

They don't conveniently cancel each other out. They dampen the experience a bit. The first time I saw Tess crouch across an enemy, I held my breath, cursed at her then had a "lul wut?" moment when they didn't do anything.

Pretty sure Naughty Dog could have polished that up if they spent a bit more time on it.

I highly disagree with the AI. The AI is incredibly intelligent, and very surprising. Play it on survivor to get the true experience. I have a video that shows how good the AI really is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiJKZTYWEeo

Duuuuuude - Arrows were my best friend for silent distant takedowns.

Bill stomping around AS LOUD AS ONE CAN and nobody being able to hear strangling did hurt some immersion, but the game is still a 9.5 out of 10 for me.