Pre-sequel, is it bad or is it just me?

So I'm new to these games, played 1, enjoyed it. I've heard 2 is where it gets good, but I have a thing where I have to play all the games and in order. I'm playing the Pre-sequel and am just not feeling it. The gravity and oxygen aren't my cup of tea but I can deal. Driving feels bad, the buggy is so squirrely, if I hit a light bump, I go spinning out all over the place. I played Lilith in 1 and loved the survivability her special ability gave. I liked the look of Nisha in this, and I know that even tho each character is meant to use certain guns, you can use whatever, and while I'd like to use pistols with her or maybe even SMGs, this game keeps throwing nothing but shotguns and sniper rifles at me. Is it just bad luck or something else? Will I miss much of the story by quitting this and going on to 2?

(Also, the whole Austrailia in space bit bugs me, not sure why.)