Were the discounts and selection at the start of last year's sale this dire, too? (Honest question - I didn't buy anything through Amazon last year.) If last year's promo started out like this and improved later, I'd say you're right to tell people to be patient. But if not, I can understand them being disappointed right now - in general, these prices are a big step down from the Amazon sale we just came off of.
These prices are exactly the same kind of thing we saw last year. The key wasn't that they were crazy high compared to the Holiday sale, but that they were listed at all. I think everything listed last year went on a big price reduction of some kind. So the high prices now aren't indicative of what they will be over the entire sale. Unless they have changed things up or aren't getting the deals they want with the publishers, this should play out as it did before.
This isn't a frantic Steam sale, this is a slow month long Amazon promotion where Tony periodically adds on new games, or reduces prices for first come first serve type sales. I fully expect to see that Enslaved/Pac-Man bundle for something like $5 at some point.
Among some of the things I used my 12 credits on last year.
Darksider Franchise Pack - $8
Microsoft 5-Game Arcade Pack (Deadlight, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet, Iron Brigade, Mark of the Ninja, Toy Soldiers) (I bought 4 of these, fantastic deal) - $5
Age of Empires III Complete - $5
Microsoft Fable Bundle - $5
Paradox 2012 Ultimate Pack - $10
Paradox Seas Bundle - $5
http://www.reddit.com/r/GameDeals/comments/15tfb3/amazon_editors_choice_january_sale_update_for_jan/
http://www.reddit.com/r/GameDeals/comments/178ydt/amazon_end_of_january_digital_pc_games_sale/