So I bought this game on Tuesday via Steam, here my first impressions:
Combat/Gameplay: It really is the lovechild of Batman's Arkham series and Assassins' Creed. You move through the open-world just like Ezio/Altair, etc. with most of the time even the EXACT same animations. Works! The combat then switches to the free-flow system, I must say though it's even a tick better than Arkham's; the parry/counter is much quicker, fights are much faster paced, so combat really is kick-ass!
Nemesis: Can't make a full review of this, since I'm still at the stage of the game where you can't manipulate the Uruks (suuucks! why make you wait?) However it seems rather unspectacular and even a bit annoying during fights. Maybe my opinion will change once I can actually influence the Uruk Hierarchy directly.
Btw.: First I started playing it with a Xbox 360 Controler, but I changed to Mouse and Keyboard, it simply more percise (especially Archery)
Story:
Talion seems cool, fairly relatable, but it's the Wraith who actually steals the show. Best cutscenes are reserved for him so far. Haven't experienced any twist or turns yet but I'm just 5 hours into the game.
Graphics: Since it is partly next gen and I'm playing this on my PC, this is the strongest point of the game. The details (apart from ground) are beautifully done and the farsight, the light/shadowplay, as well the facial animations are a delight to look at.
Not so satisfying: It is even open world, but how can I put this... you don't really feel the urge to discover everything, like for example Risen 3 or Skyrim. I at least only feel like doing the normal and side missions. But again, maybe that will change later when I'm allowed to manipulate the Uruks.
Overall: Fairly efficient game, steals from the best in the genre, so how can it possibly be bad. Bit disappointed with the Nemesis so far, but like mentioned that might change. Open world is a bit of a big word for this game, it doesn't feel as alive as for example Arkham City or Black-Flag.
I'd give it probably a 75 % rating