I heard a lot of rumors about NG2 before it was unveiled. I heard the lighting model was overhauled, I heard TN was trying to implement destructable environments, and I heard it might even have a new art style. It really has none of these things. I'm not even entirely sure what sets it apart from DOA4 or NGS, assuming it doesn't have that strange loading problem and vsync issues.

Just pretend NG2's a PS3 game and the tearing won't bother you, just like Heavenly Sword.
lulz, tearing doesn't bother me really. unless it's super excessive. like asscreed pre-release. so to you i say stfu.
don't roll your eyes at me. everyone expected more of TN for this. look into your heart, you know it to be true!
and mcdragon, they are just things i heard here and there. obviously destructable environments was just something i heard, didn't expect it totally and certainly thought they'd be doing something more with the graphics than they have. it's a platform exclusive published by microsoft...just thought there'd be a little more behind it. but they've been using the same staticy looking lighting for a while now. that and the skin shader is really holding the overall look back i think.
i'm not going to really comment on the level design. it's unrelated to visuals and i haven't yet played the game.
and i'm more or less talking about the way the characters look. it's still that plasticy stuff. I just don't think I'll ever like it.