Pretty much agree with OP. I'm sorry to say but the first two thirds of the game are by far and away the best of it too as it goes downhill fast once a certain new enemy is introduced.
The second is better overall but has an awful end boss but I'd still rank it as a must play game and 8 or 9/10.
Other exclusives...
I loved Heavy Rain despite it having probably the least coherent story of any game this generation. While you're playing it you're sucked in emotionally but like many films these days if you stop to think about it afterwards you'll be 'wtf'.
The Infamous demo did nothing for me, the Resistance demo was awful, I bought Killzone 2 but got bored after a couple of hours. LBP did nothing for me either but I've still got it and the bairn likes it.
My wife really liked Flower so you could this a go.
Motorstorm is very good, try this!