DAMP, as I've said before, is odd - playing it seems really slow while the enemies are quick, which gives a sort of "treacle effect". Compared to, say, ME3MP which is much quicker overall - it feels more dynamic, so it feels like you can really move around and do things, instead of just trudging everywhere and slowly having an effect.
I prefer DAMP because the characters play very different from one another. Also, I appreciate the SP ideas I get from the borrow skill-tree composition of each one. Well, that, and I am not much of a shooter fan, so my judgement is effectively moot.
The speed is something you alter -and must- with your build and playstyle. There are very few characters that are supposed to be played with a heavy focus on, say, Passives-fueled auto attacks.
Don't let the promotion lords fool you, most players play on the lower difficulties.
I joined a Threatening Ferelden Castle in mid Zone 2 with a level 1 Hunter, and ended up #1.
God I hate Explosive Shot.