Two Worlds Previews

Both GameSpot and IGN PC have dished up new hands-on previews of Reality Pump's upcoming open-ended RPG, Two Worlds. A snip from GameSpot's article:
One aspect of role-playing games that Reality Pump sought to avoid is the constant influx of junk you loot from your enemies, even after you become an accomplished and wealthy adventurer. For example, you'll be able to combine individual items of the same type to create upgraded versions; those three rusty broadswords can be combined to create a more damaging and valuable weapon. You'll also be able to combine any herbs or cooking reagents you find using the game's alchemy system; you'll even be able to create unique potion recipes that will carry over into multiplayer.

And a snip from IGN PC's article:
After we had finished looking at the technical achievements, we were taken on a tour of the skills and abilities screen. While the level-up process and stat system doesn't appear to be as deep as those you'll find in Elder Scrolls games, it does have its own unique flair. Skills aren't improved through repetition, but rather through gaining training or knowledge in the game. For example, we saw a low level character talk to a stable owner and learn that one of his friends could teach you a thing or two about riding mounts. We found him and after talking to him gained a skill level for horseback riding. In this way, players will have to seek out the right people and places to improve their character rather than simply rubber banding a controller and making your character swim into a wall for several hours while you go to lunch (admit it, you did it in Oblivion).