Has GTA IV sacrificed fun for realism?

[NJ5]

Let me paraphrase/summarize the reasons to see how many are relevant:

1- Smaller (but more detailed) playing area
2- Liberty City... again? (though this time it really feels like New York)
3- Less recognizable music.
4- More realistic driving controls (potentially less fun for some)
5- The plot is not "rags to riches" style.
6- The protagonist's not as fun
7- Previous GTA characters don't appear in the game.
8- Less movement freedom (no planes, swimming, etc)
9- Multiplayer: Not a MMO, no co-op.
10- You can't customize Niko's appearance.
11- No celebrities in the voice cast.
12- The game's increased realism may make you feel guilty for some of your actions.

Now for my opinion on each:

1- It's probably good enough, I hear the playing area is still very big.
2- No problem for me.
3- No problem for me.
4- Great, means I have to practise more, which will probably make it more rewarding.
5- No problem for me.
6- Not enough information here, I'll see how it is later.
7- No problem for me.
8- It would be cool to have those, but it may be a good thing if they nailed the movement options which *are* in the game.
9- No problem for me.
10- No problem for me.
11- No problem for me, as long as the existing cast is talented.
12- I don't think so, but we'll see. I've been decapitating Ninjas in Ninja Gaiden Black for the past few days.

So we have 6 and 12 as the only potential problems for me. All in all, these reasons don't make me even a little bit worried about not liking this game.

Feel free to enumerate your opinions on each item too.