So I finally sunk my teeth into it.
When I first played, it was kind of meh.
Now that I spent some time with the vehicle custimization (FUCKING AWESOME) I have really begun to like the game alot more. I have created a flying vehicle, a water based vehicle, and one for all around purposes. They're just fun to drive around and mess with their physics. I have only gotten one jiggie so far because I have been too busy messing with vehicles.
When it comes to the platforming in this game, it's still there just without all of Kazooie's moves. For instance I had to find a way ontop of a building but the only way to get up there was to find items to stack up ontop of one another. I'm sure there was a "proper" way but I did it this way, and it was satisfying. It's so open ended platforming wise. Could I have gotten up there with a vehicle? I dunno, unless the game allows you to have flying vehicles in Showdown town later on in the game.
Another instance in which I was platforming was when I got to the top of LOG's factory, that was like a mini level in and of itself of me trying to find the right path to the top and jumping my way there.
Showdown town in the demo is kind of small, but if you get ontop of LOG's factory you will see how huge it will be when you get the full game. It is giagantic and there are huge buildings in the faaaaaaaaaar off distance. I wonder if you'll be able to reach them in the full game.
BanjoLand is rad. When you first go in you'll be blown away by all the locals crammned into it. The music will bring you back to the N64 days. There's alot of exploration to do there still. It really opens up when you get a flying vehicle and you're able to get to all the little parts of the very huge level.
Mumbo's training grounds are also sweet. I must have wasted 30 minutes in there just flying my vehicle around and testing it.
I'm really glad I preordered it and I can't wait to play the original again.