Yeah i started off pretty 'meh' about it but it's pretty fun. Once you start unlocking more ways to remove people teeth with your fists/feet it gets a bit more fun.
The driving is still annoying but it's not too bad. The in-game radios are pretty crap, though.
Because i'm a massive pussy, i got a map of the first area and quickly grabbed 10 health shrine things to get a 20% bonus which has made things more fun. Don't have to worry about surviving as much anymore, so i find myself doing the flashy moves.
Dropped $70k on a Lexus only to have the next 2 missions require me to use the absolutely shithouse standard bike, which was very annoying. Especially the chick - as if i'd make her get on the back of that heap of crap when i had a pearl while lexus on 24s sitting right there.
The just cause 2 outfit is very useful.
Another thing i'm not sure console players would notice: It's very, very pretty. Everything is so shiny, and the water effects are awesome. My PC barely manages to run it at full graphics, and when it does my heat warning goes off. Game makes my PC stress more than BF3, which is why i was complaining about optimization before. Figured out my resolutions were a bit off though, so that's made it good.
Really, really wish you could keep melee weapons on your person for future use. The tire iron is insanely effective and i hate having to ditch it all the time.