I haven't played it on a controller on a console so I don't know how much that differs, but on PC with m&k it's about as good an FPS I've played in years.
I'm playing on default difficulty and about 3/4 through the game. I would say the level design is nothing to write home about, but damn this game just feels so good.
Sneaking through a level at the beginning, picking off guys with the pistol and throwing hatchets at Nazi faces, and then once the alarm has sounded rip out the shotgun, hold down sprint, and blast my way to the Nazi officer guys, then spin back round and clear up everyone else left, switching weapon every few seconds, throwing grenades and hatchets like confetti, rushing round corners and stabbing people..
I'm playing it the exact same way as Doom last year, just super fast, never stop moving, heart in the mouth stuff. Then back to stealth and silenced pistol for the start of the next encounter. It's just a blast to play, everything feels silky smooth and razor precise.
I'd say if you're often finding yourself hiding behind cover or trying to hold onto a single position you're probably making it harder for yourself. Just run run run and never give them a clean shot on you. Also by always moving you're constantly picking up health and armor, like it's literally laying around everywhere.
Again, mouse & keyboard may be the crucial ingredient, I haven't tried controller.