I've had my TH for almost 2 months now, started with .81 code, and installing 1.21 tonight, amazing amount of change already!! I truly believe this games potential is to be the most challenging mode based game ever made, but I understand that not everyone likes that style.
Being an EM guy at heart I really like quick games with easy to understand objectives, but The Hobbit has just so many challenges and diverse shots, that I can't help but enjoy the hell out of it. Yes it is different, I can't really think of a game to even try to compare it to, but that's what draws me back to it, I'm tired of cookie cutter layouts and retreads of past games, JJP games seem to think out of the box.
To those who have tried it and not liked it, all I would ask is to wait until Keith has worked his magic before you you give up on it!