To help everyone out who's still going throught the demo, here's some PS3 info on attacks that can help out. Most of the Special move info is from the video FlashBlade has been mentioning (thanks for keeping that up). It's worth watching it just to see how these are supposed to practically work too.
(Posting a lot of this from memory and a little research, call out something if you think it's wrong)
Special Moves
(unofficial names made on the fly; at least they look cool)
Fwd + Square = Parry (also in the air)
Fwd Fwd + Square = Launch
Fwd Fwd + Triangle = Dashing strike
360 Rotation + Triangle = Spinning Slash
X + Square = Evasion (optional direction)
Bk + Fwd + Square = Palm Strike
Bk + Fwd + Triangle = Blade Sweep
Ninja Run + Square = Quick Slash
Ninja Run + Triangle = Slide
Ninja Run + Triangle + Square/Triangle (Slide + Ground slam)
Jump + Triangle = Dive Kick
Some Combos (from GameFAQs)
unconfirmed for right now, will give all a try and update soon.
Square (repeatedly) = unlimited light attacks
Triangle (repeatedly) = unlimited heavy attacks
Triangle (delay) + Square + Triange = Sweep 'n' Strike
Triangle + Triangle + Square + Triangle
Triangle + Triangle + Triangle + Square + Triangle
Square + Triangle (delay) + Square + Triangle
Triangle + Square + Triangle
(there's one or two, or more jump combos off of launcher, I'll post those later when I can confirm them again)
Tips
-Don't forget that with blade mode, you have the option of using square(horizontal)/triangle(vertical) strikes instead of the analog stick. Although, I get the feeling that correct aiming with the analog will really come in handy later in the game.
-Unless you're looking to get S ranking in everything, you might try experimenting with Blade Mode. Sadistic as it is, cutting off limbs and leaving the torso to walk or crawl in agony is pretty cool.
-The most opportune time to use Blade mode is when you've got a stunned opponent. Once the attack slows down and the guy glows orange, start cutting.
-Triangle + Circle gives you a stylish finishing attempt on an enemy once he/it's stunned.
-Stealth-killing is mostly getting above or behind a cyborg or gekko and hitting the button prompt.
How to be a BADASS in Rising Demo
http://youtu.be/xYGIRVeVY24?t=1m7s <---
MGSR TUTORIAL on Moveset
(In Japanese, but you can figure out which buttons represent the moves)
http://youtu.be/IabHyQJA9-w <- Konami tutorial
Quoted for this page.
Yeah, unfortunately, for those who haven't kept up with the videos Konami has been releasing, playing through this can feel really odd as it doesn't explain what to do. Hopefully this game won't get the full RE6 treatment and have no manual, or a manual that won't explain the basics.
Most of how I got through the demo the first time was seeing how others successfully played it. It's genius work once it's all applied correctly, and in how there's more than one way to tackle nearly everything.
One other thing I'll say in terms of tutorials is this:
-Whenever you finish an area, before the scoring system comes up, pause and restart from the last checkpoint; it's the best way to get practice in. The first battle in the demo where you face the three guys coming out of stealth is the best time to practice the parrying and all the in-game battles. Experiment here. You can spam, try out the combos, use Blade Mode to cut different body parts (go for the leg(s)). This is especially useful if you're not satisfied with how you felt you did.
-For those worried about the Gekkos and parrying, most attacks they have usually have a longer start-up than the cyborg attacks.
-For those still having parrying problems, use X + Square + direction to do the evasion. It's more of a sliding counter-attack, but it does evade things pretty well.
I very much disagree with the guys saying Blade Mode should've been taken out of after Platinum took over; even before you master using the button/analog (keep practicing with the analog; it's worth mastering, and you also don't have to shift the stick competely from one end to the other to get the cut), it's interaction with the environment is really fun, and hopefully will yield some cool out of reach things, like the box you get in VR after cutting the pillar. Honestly it's not something you're guaranteed to get on the first, maybe even the second playthrough. If you really want to practice Blade Mode, go into VR and practice with those cardboard enemies; their window for exact strikes is a lot small than the enemies in the real battle.
Just like Bayonetta, the real pleasure in this game came from investing in experimentation and mastery.