Apparently from the experience of an IGN editor, the game has some of the most non-static characters around.
Regardless of what you think of IGN, check out their work-in-progress review of Kingdoms of Amalur. Some of the questions asked by people in the comments have been answered. He's already said that the boring button masher one believes the game to be ends up not being true and that the combat does get way more challenging and better.
They also said the NPC's and characters are pretty damn good, and the first thing people will notice is how the NPC's and characters in this game stand out from other western rpg's. Apparently there are a shitload of sidequests as well, and the lore is apparently at least well developed as they give you a lot of chance to explore it throughout these many quests.
The entry area is not a good point to judge the demo. Like I mentioned in chat, I didn't judge Darksiders due to the beginning area and found one of my favorite games in 2010[?]. Admittedly it wasn't a smart decision to use this for nit-picky people such as rpg fans, but rpg demos aren't a common site nowadays and they can't just let you be in the middle of the game doing absolutely nothing. They have to do the opening area.
If you're curious about how the game plays later on, read this on as the editor gives hints at how the game gets much better. And it's not somebody who doesn't play rpg's being amazed by simplicity, the guy gives the impression of being an avid rpg player.
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/121/1216527p1.html
If you're pretty much unimpressed and have no desire to play it, be my guest. I'd suggest waiting for actual reviews from people who have played more than the early hour or two. If the above article is anything to guide what the metascore of the game is, it might be in the 80's-90's level.