Jtrizzy said:
The only Zelda I've ever played was the original way back then...maybe I should start with a Zelda game? I also have a wii.
I only compared it to Zelda since I figured you would be familiar with that game.
Basically, you directly control a character, and may equip a number of different weapons/shields to your left and right hands (These are mapped to the shoulder buttons.)
From there, the combat system is focused on being very physical (as in adhering to physics) and weighty. That being said, when you press the attack button, the character will START to wind up and to swing a weapon. Each weapon is different, and one of the reasons many play through many times, to experience and learn new weapons. On top of the range of weapons, any weapon may be wielded one or two handed, which opens up even more versatility to the combat. Another way the game leans on the "realistic" side of things is with how easy it is to be killed. Most enemies in the game can kill you within a few hits (some as little as two hits,) so incorporating a shield, and a very defensive approach is key (I believe many gamers used to the speed of Bayonetta or Devil May Cry are initially turned off by the "slow" combat of Demon's Souls.)
All different character "types" are merely different attribute values, which you level up over the course of the game. If you want a melee fighter that can cause more damage, then simply focus on pumping points into strength, endurance. These changes are slight, but immediate.
Other than that, the game world is incredibly rich, and there are secrets to discover at every turn, in much the same way as Super Metroid had hidden passages and items.
There are many pre-conceptions you might have by considering it an "RPG," so I tried to be as descriptive as I could.