OK everybody who wrote a review has nothing good to say it would seem.
Yes, apparently on-line-play is being prioritized over story or arcade modes (see Sould Caliber V for a real taste of stripping down 1 player game play) and I guess it's because it's cheaper?!? and video game developers think that they can get away with it.
I like it about as much as the next hard core 1 player gamer, however I will defend this title for the following reasons:

1. who cares if the 1 player game sucks or that you don't like races...all you have to do is do what I do and go to challenge and set-up your own stage size and amount of challengers and then go nuts...what's the difference if you do it that way or if it's pre-set for you in 1 player/story mode.

and

2. The game controls and I don't care what anybody says (I've played hours of TM2 like most living breathing intelligent people have done) and can say the controls are just as tight and smooth as they ever were.
The game is back baby...I love smashing through row and rows of house in the first stage and just lining up a guy who has no idea your coming, shocking them from a respectable distance and then stomping on the turbo and then as I just about get there flick the controller up slightly and smashing them to bits. Twisted Metal indeed.
(Of course that really only works if you have lets say outlaw and Reaper is on his last legs..but it's a good way to end the match.)

3. I miss zoomy and reticle from Black but sniper is awesome (just give it a chance)...napalm is back..ricochets always seem to get a face lift (now there's remote control cars and chargeable too)... freeze and rear fire are now available at the touch of the direction pad.

In conclusion yeah I got say this game sucks...better graphics then in any TM game still fast if not faster and more frenetic, new cars to explore, intuitive controls...it may get tirering after awhile but hey 1 player gamers out there,you could try playing co-op with a friend even split screen local games are hours of fun.