Don't really know what cats expected from the first disc. It's going to be hit or miss no matter who you are. There are people that don't mind newer era Mobb Deep, and I'd include myself in the camp. But I don't many, if any of us, listen to it as more than music hopefully got some decent production and a few dope lines here and there. I'm certainly not on the edge of my seat anymore, but I'm cool with that.
For that reason, I think it's very difficult to objectively rate their albums post Murda Muzik. Some people may prefer Amerikka's Nightmare, some might prefer Free Agents, or Infamy. Honestly I've seen their post MM albums arranged in every order imaginable. I assume the same will go for this album.
It's all equally impressive/unimpressive after 2000, so it's just what people's personal tastes are. So far I'm listening to the Infamous sessions, and haven't cracked into disc 1 that much. I might wait for the version with Snoop, LOX, etc.