Bought it today. Excited to play it.

At one point I wanted to go for the plat but I had stopped without beating the game or getting all the orbs, I was having trouble responding to the patterns of the final boss and lost motivation. I then went back and got all the orbs and beat the boss.
I then decided to try beating the game on hard and game me a lot of difficulty I couldn't even beat the first boss :(
I then stopped trying until joining this and now coming back to the game a third time I'm still struggling with it, I might see if I can grind a little to level a few things up but I just think it's my skills at fighting.

at one point I was thinking of getting the DLC, but with how I'm doing coming back to the game I don't think I will be.

I haven't tried the game on hard, but I imagine it's pretty unforgiving -- especially some of those boss battles.

I'm not going for 100% (I don't normally go for 100% in any games). The most frustrating parts of the game I'd have to say are some of the boss fights, and sections with platforming and red skeletons.
I think the game balances combat and platforming very well with a few exceptions, examples being during the Tule Tree where I had to dodge projectiles while platforming. The combat sections are fun but they can get a bit repetitive.

Not sure what's the games philosophy on DLC is.

Some of those sections in the Tule Tree were very demanding, that's for sure.

I was actually surprised by how much platforming there was in the game. I was expecting a Super Metroid or Symphony of the Night level of platforming, i.e., not much, but Guacamelee! had some of the more interesting, challenging, and inventive platforming sections I've seen in a game in a while. I was especially impressed by the sections that require you to switch back and forth between dimensions as you leap. Frustrating, yes, but ultimately very rewarding.

About the DLC, I was a little turned off by the fact that some of the game's areas were locked behind a paywall. I'm happy that it's possible to achieve 100% without DLC, but I was still irked that I couldn't access the entire game without forking over extra money.

yeah I have now finally beaten the first boss battle on hard. thankfully there is a check point mid battle. I now have hope of getting the platinum again. while the hard is a challenge for me it's about skill and I appreciate that. this is no difficulty for a button masher

isn't the level locked out just combat with little to no platforming?
other than that it's costumes that were things that used to be bonuses for beating games on various difficulties or getting collectibles

how many of you guys play with a dpad? (when available) and how many use analog sticks?

That Tree Top Orb turned me off of the attempt to platinum the game. it was way to unforgiving.
Loved the game though. Beat it, waiting on the story DLC now.

Good question. I used a d-pad. I have trouble using analog sticks for 2D platformers, with the exception of Donkey Kong Country Returns.