Drakensang Demo Impressions

Rock, Paper, Shotgun has given the Drakensang demo a spin, though they had some problems crossing the language barrier.
Time for random encounters!

Interestingly, my first encounter proves obscure, as dramatic music occurs and the action freezes. I spend some time deciphering the tutorial box that has popped up. It seems that combat is turn-based? No. I spin the camera around, but can't see anything to fight amid the paused trees. Nor can I figure out how to disengage the freeze. Eventually I realise that hitting space sends me back into real-time. There is squealing, and I beat some pigs to death with a hammer. Next: vicious wasps! They've gone and killed a man. Exploring as revealed a quest. possibly? Argh. Wasps are easily slain.