And you're pretty spot on w/ your comments IMO.

I've spent most of my time in MP however, and so far there are issues that need addressing. Graphical issues, such as invisible horses, guns, characters.....very weird when you suddenly disappear in mid-stride, or you're being shot at by an invisible foe...makes aiming difficult.

There are also connection/server issues. Given that I've been dropped out of Xbox live a couple of times (friends also), it appears it's more than server issues on Rockstar's end, but also compatibility issues with Microsoft.

I do expect these issues to be cleared up shortly however.

That said, the "Free-Roam" concept is pretty cool. The world is the lobby, and from there you do what you want. I've seen a lot of complaints on boards about the nature of the free-roam....people getting griefed from the moment they enter a world. This happens, but after the initial shock, assuming you have any gaming experience at all, you quickly figure out how to carry on. For the uninitiated, this could be a shock that thwarts further exploration. While it's fun to hang around populated areas and gun-fight wild-west style, there is much to be had in MP play outside of this. Form a posse with friends and tackle bandit hideouts, or enter gang challenges, or try free-for-all challenges, or simply roam the countryside. Soon co-op specific quests will be available for download as well. All in all, good stuff that will only improve once glitches are smoothed out. There's a level system, which allows for item upgrades (or rather availability of new items), new outfits, new rides and new labels (for how others see your character identified). It's not an RPG-robust system, but it's something. Forming posses is easy, and the game is supposed to keep your group together across different game-types in MP to the extent that it can for matchmaking balance (ie: won't leave your 8 vs 2, you'll get split).