So let's qualify this a bit.
The game is pretty simple and straightforward. Attack, strong attack, block, and dodge, are our basic actions and from these you fight one on one and, more often than not, three on one. Your enemies come in various classes, and each may be described by their weapon arrangement (single weapon, dual weapon, weapon and shield, and brick-shithouse). Also thrown in the mix are "executions" as quick-time-events; an execution is a finishing move which may confer one of four benefits when performed (life, experience, focus, and damage bonus). Armed with these basics, each fight becomes a small tactical challenge - timing attacks, juggling opponents, and choosing an execution.
Interleaved with these is the occasional phalanx charge and other mini-games that break up the action and keep things fresh.
Being something of a game veteran, my initial playthrough was on Centurion (third of four) difficulty. Combat was not especially difficult, but presented enough of a challenge to keep me engaged. Decisions had to made in the midst of combat, either to take exploit a weakness, deflect a blow, or press an advantage.
Of course, the game is real pretty too. It is very difficult to distinguish between pre-rendered cinematics and in-game engine, and some of the set pieces (like Trial by Fire, mission 3, beach landing) are spectacular.
Overall, I really like Ryse. It has its flaws (buggy focus-time, and scaled Legendary difficulty), but if you are seeking something novel and willing to give it a try, I heartily recommend it!
