All the trailers only show enemies getting hacked up and some sort of rolling move that doesn't seem to do any good. Is it straight-forward 'mash attack + hold button to block' or will there be skill-based elements like timing your block or attack inputs to make the enemy stagger or do combos?

i wish i new as well. it seems like the usual affair, as u described it, but i hope there is more to it.

i took a look at this small and low budget game "the first templar" and inspite of it's poor presentation, the combat mechanics are really fun. a lot of timing , positioning and strategy in it. even games that do spectacular combat like AC are actually really shallow and really easy. i wouldnt expect more from hunted but i can hope...

I know that if you time your block right it will cause the enemy to recoil and open themselves up to counter attack.

Have to agree with you about The first Templar Topeira,i took a gamble with it today and am finding it very cool,even the acting is way above the usual Two Worlds/Gothic kind've low budget Rpgs.I'm hoping for Hunted there'd at least be coop shield wall attacks and other such stuff but even if it's just fatalities they don't seem to ever get old if done well.

As I learned so far. Melee attacks are realtime non-locking. But it seems like some spell and ranged attack will trace to to target once you lock them on.

I have been wondering this as well. As well as the balance between the two characters, from first take looks, it appears much more appealing in the ranged game play. I see the melee can levitate for the ranged character, what does the ranged do for the melee, for example to make them both a desired character. Hope to find more information on the combat systems, but may just have to try it and see.

There was a special attack, or appeared a debuff, that in the directors video mentioned anything between the two characters will take tremendous damage.