I have been playing the game since the release date and it is great. I think the problem is that it was hyped for over a year and for a few weeks leading up to the launch, there were some "details" that were misrepresented or misinterpreted by the gaming media and by YouTube personalities that gave people a false impression of what they were buying.

That being said, it is both competently made and engaging to play. The pacing seems fine for the context of the game. Life moved slower in that period so representing it will also require a slower pace (the first game was also much slower than the GTA title that came before it). It is story heavy (which I like) and that may be the source of the criticisms about its "long windedness" but that is only an issue for players who are only concerned with game play.

The problems that I have with it are minor in the long run but they are worth pointing out. While the survival game elements are not particularly intrusive, I find them to be unnecessary and more of an annoyance than anything else. The changes in the way the character is controlled are bizarre and seem poorly thought out but they were easy enough to adapt to and they stopped being a problem after a few hours of play.

It does not live up to the hype but nothing ever does. It is definitely worth the price if you are a fan of Rockstar games or the western genera. If that doesn't appeal to you, then your approach of waiting until the price comes down is the best way to go.