just got done doing a coop game with buddy until hour time limit hit. it felt like a gta clone at first, but further into it, it was definetly not gta. i had a ton of fun playing this. the upgrades system is a blast. buddy and i were upgrading our guys strength and we were running around kicking around cars and jumping 30 feet in the air, it was actually alot more fun that i expected. i guess you can pick up cars and toss them into the river when gangs drive at you.
game wont be for everyone, but after playing about a hour and a half, im about 99% sure ill get this one at launch. ill agree that it seems like gta at first, but beyond that initial few 10-20 mins, it becomes more of its own game. and coop really makes it alot more fun. watching another player come tearing by you and smear into a group of gang members is great.