I really like the combat mechanic

[Bolgo The Madd]

I really like that your attack, defense, and health increase with progression bars in combat.

I always have a special connection to that very first NPC I hire, and seeing a lowly herder become a savage combatant is very gratifying... he's better then all the guards who visit!

Take a moment to look at the attack and defend of your NPCs, you might be surprised at what the Inn Keeper is made of.

[Gerblyn]

I like decking out a low level NPC later game with the most insane gear I can find and taking them out bashing giants. I had a level 3 Dragoneer hit level 8 in about 10 minutes, because everyone he was fighting was level 10+ :)