12ish hours in, and I've done a little bit of the story.
I like being a voyeur/vigilante the most. The privacy invasions can be creepy, funny and even really sad- it's a strange look into someone's life when they think no one is watching. The devs really had fun with writing some of those I bet! Also, tracing the Utility boxes to be hacked can be a fun wandering game in itself.
I've spent a lot of time walking in Chicago- no music, no hurry. Just observing some of the really neat NPC behaviors- juggling a soccer ball, taking tourist pictures, couples fighting, listening in on funny phone calls- the works. I've been pretty immersed in the lives of some these NPCs in ways that are unique inherently to this game. Taking care of criminals with a silent uzi and a baton beatdown still hasn't gotten old (I think I've done this at least 50 times already).
I can't get used to the cars- I really, really dislike the driving. I've just been cruising on a Chopper when absolutely necessary because the cars feel like an afterthought. The handling is pretty shit, the brake seems a bit unresponsive and it's almost like it's caught between pure arcade and something with more weight. It just doesn't feel right to me. And taking out contracts with an inability to shoot leads to hopeful street hacking, and car ramming a lot- it's compelled me to come up with some great assassination strategies, but it's challenging for the wrong reasons.
But the hacks are rad. Chasing down criminals and hacking explosive bits of the environment can be endlessly entertaining. Also, navigating some of the "Collectible" rooftops in time feels like a hide and seek flag race from Assassin's Creed. I haven't really taken part in much of the online- I kind of like my open world games spent in isolation. Rustic coat, Aiden strolling about with my edited playlist medley of Nas, and MGK. The soundtrack just leaves me feeling like it could've been so much more- but they've done a decent job of highlighting some of Chicago's music scene.
I'm having fun. I didn't get the same feel I had from playing Saints Row 2, or GTA4+5 for the first time, but it's been really relaxing. I think the aiming/gun mechanics are great and some of the interiors look absolutely unique and beautiful. I wish the hideouts were individualized, but they are also serviceable. I think some of the digital trip mission structure play like poor SR4 minigames, but they're a welcome addition and nice change of pace.
Nice impressions. How does the actual movement feel when going by foot? GiantBomb complained a bit about that.