Well, right now it's not as bad, there are more clues about what to do and where to go, respawn rates were nerfed as were some enemies. Backtracking is still there, though to a lesser degree, but it exists throughout the game, so if you are enjoying it right now, you'll be fine i think.
Many things will depend on your build of course (mostly on how OP it is, what weapon you are using and wherever you are stealthy). If you are using gun, i would recommend packing a lot of W2C ammo. You'll need it.
That being said, DC also provides a lot of info about setting's history and some people, if you like that. Also it's prettier)
So, don't be anxious, just craft best gear you can, stack up on ammo, meds and other consumables and go forth. If you are having trouble, you can always ask for help on forums and read wiki)