My feelings exactly as well
I really fancy giving the MP a shot on this as I've read so much about it that sounds right up my alley. But hopefully the PS3 'vets' don't make it too difficult for us new un's to get into.
Guys, I didn't buy TLOU at release. There were months in the pipe before I joined up, and it was only vets left. I got crushed right and left. I didn't know how they could always predict my movements, how I was getting downed so quickly face to face.. but as long as you take satisfaction in being overcome by skill as I did, and had the patience to learn to master it.. to take the power back was AMAZING. To rub those same faces in the dirt in a game that is satisfying on so many levels. When I landed my first accurate molotov and the guy that had been hounding me the whole match turned to a crisp. When I unlocked the bow and got slaughtered before I could even draw it such that I thought it was unusable, but persevered and it became my weapon of choice. Silent, deadly, one shot to execute downed players (critical!). Couple that with map experience, learning routes, and learning when you have to go quiet.. what I'm saying is this game will hurt and challenge you.. and if you get past that, you'll find a love like no other.
As far as map advantage goes, it's another great thing about this game. Teams tend to rush out in well-tried and familiar formations, but after the first couple of hasty interactions, things really go freeform, and play out very differently each time. You don't know whether you'll be rounding out the closing minutes with an armoured up duo waiting to BBQ you with charging flamethrowers, whether you'll have a shiv knife showdown in the urinals, or have to pick your way up the length of the map, knowing your dead team are spectating, to a lone sniper nested in the roof of a derelict building, who has set traps for you every step of the way..
Can't say how much pleasure I got failing to unlock the skull mask after a twelve week (which is more like a couple of weeks playtime) cycle, until the moment came, and it was deserved. This game seems to judge reward so sweetly, unlike a battlefield or suchlike where gifts just keep pouring steadily at you. I always found myself agreeing with the game when I earned it, and too when I wasn't up to scratch.
In terms of the firey baptism that awaits you newcomers.. I would just say this, reward the good and punish the bad. You'll get players who will live to headshot you from afar, to machete you without warning and tbag your corpse. Them, you hunt, you get even. You'll also get players who choose to play healer, or gift giver (yes you can give parcels to each other in the match) - use your animations (and voice!) to thank them, throw them a salute, and some gratitude, and then learn to play like them.
Sermon endeth.