Space alert with experience

So I am planning to run a Space Alert Campaign or at least start one this weekend. I have had the expansion set for a year and have not used it. Has any tried the campaign rules for specializations and leveling up?

If so what are your thoughts? Does it add to the game or just make it more confusing?

About half of the people playing this weekend have played the base game, but some have not... too hard to jump right into the expansion?

You can add it in right away and it's not too confusing. They just earn achievements and can then spend them on additional cards. It does make the game slightly harder from the start because you no longer get that gold card or whatever.

I had a character that survived 3 missions before getting blown up. Hot tip, take cloning unless you are Space Alert pros.

I didn't think it made things much more complex but i didn't think it added much strategically. It mostly just gives you some narrative context.