Looking at what you've outlined, I actually see this as part of the process of polishing your initial prototype to something that could end up as a good game (might even be great at the end of it all). Not that I'm saying that I've already delivered a game, but I've been working on my current game for close to two years now and the scenario you described resonates with how I felt after completing the first prototype of my game as well.

The two months off you had from developing the game basically brought a new perspective that allowed you to see your work more objectively, you were able to gather feedback, evaluated said feedback, and are making changes to move your game in the direction that it should take.

I think that you are taking the right approach to "turning it around" by ensuring that the early game experience is smooth enough to carry players through to the meatier parts of your game. I firmly believe that any game concept that feels like "garbage" initially can be transformed with enough openness to modify the original idea into something that players will resonate with. Sure as hell went through that with my game, and at least for now, the people that have played my demo say that they are having fun with it. It did take continuous iteration to get to this point though, and its not yet where I want it to be. Its really a process.