I didn't like the first game because of the jank and gunplay. The open world system was pretty interesting though. I wander how the second game will fair. It's been a very long time and the development team has no doubt changed as well.

I doubt that you will like the sequel if you didn't like the original game + expansions. My guess is that the world will only get bigger (like the Far Cry series), but with the same gun mechanics and improvement of the A-life system.