I played 7 hours yesterday, five of them without break. My initial disappointment quickly faded and now I'm sucked in again. And so far I love it!
I recommend everyone who managed to recreate their Shepards to look more or less like the former to just play the game. Even if you think the difference is too big, give it a shot.
What happened to me is that even though my ME3 Shep is far from a perfect copy, I've grown to actually like that new look a lot.
It's similar to creating her in ME1: the more time I spend looking at that face, the more I get fond of it.
I admit that I was lucky my Shep translated into an equally cute one. In a slightly different way, but still pretty (to me anyway!).
Perhaps you won't grow to love your new Shepard as much as I did in only 7 hours. I can only speak for myself obviously.
But I do recommend to give the new look at shot. And for more than just the intro.
Shepard frowns a lot less after the intro. And that pleasant soft look I liked so much in ME2 is actually back now during most of the conversations.
Sorry for spamming you with my Shepard again, but here are some new ones I took yesterday.
As you can clearly see, it's not exactly the same person anymore. Although I was lucky the mouth and nose still exist in ME3.
The eyes are different of course but in-game do not look dead. And that new color does manage to look *almost* purple sometimes.


So if your Shepard is a similar mix of resemblance and difference, please play the game and maybe you'll grow fond of her again like me.