There was a lengthy debate about this game, maybe here....maybe neoGAF. The argument put forward was to play it without the radar or map. Turns out the game was never meant to have one, making you truly rely on gathering info and using your senses (you are given many subtle clues along the way--both visually and audibly) but when they had people play the game they were so unaccustomed to NOT having a radar they all freaked. Management made them add it at the last minute.
Do yourself a favour and either play (or replay) the game without the radar. It will be much different. With it, the game becomes a simple "run to the glowing icons, gather info, run to the target and kill them". Gets old fast.
Once you learn to parry however you can basically walk through the combat if you're patient. That criticism still stands (the argument is to refrain from using parry, but i couldn't stop myself).
Do this and the game is worth much more than $30 IMHO. Cheers.