It’s very good, which is why the reviews are very good. I’ve had mine for at least a couple of years now. Super confident downhill, climbs fine, very stable, big tyres floaty over chunder and surprisingly quick rolling too.
I’m not sure how well it would cope with mud on plus-sized tyres though. They’re brilliant in the Peak, which is mostly rocky and sort of sludgy, but 2.8s have a tendency to floatiness on really gloopy, thick mud in my limited experience. I guess running toothy 2.6s might be better for that, but it’s not my usual riding and I’m on 2.8 front and rear – Minion DHF / Rekon+ – so can’t really comment on that front.
I think they look better in reality than on the website fwiw. I’m sat here with a Mk1 frame built up and a latest version frame sat in a box waiting, but very tempted to return it and wait for a Pace 627. Decisions etc.
As above, you can test ride for free from an Alpkit shop if you have one handy or they do a paid-for, mail-out test service too, details on website.
Edit: I’m not sure I’d classify the Transmitter as ‘playful’ fwiw. It’s fun for sure, but more of a blunt instrument than something like a Soul or my Ragley Ti.