I agree with you on all those points, I also was disapointed with the fact that the game didn't seem to take advantage of the time period, Industrial music playing in the 1940's was odd, bloodraynes attitude was out of place (I think way to modern) and the fact that her outfit was akin to a girl I met at the Rocky Horror Picture Show. and considering they spent so much time on the character I didn't care about her one bit.
I think popular anymore means it has recieved a lot of media attention and gamer recognition (be it good or bad).