1. Blast wave wasn't all that useful at all, except on roof of course.
2. One should not think the game looks bad because of the new Cole (those people are the same who disliked MGS2 simply because of Raiden - that's just being a wacko)
3. I never encountered any balance problem in the first game.
4. Also, new Cole's butt > old Cole's butt
No but I actually haven't watched the trailer. I don't want to get spoiled.