If there's going to be DRM, I personally prefer Steam over the alternatives.
DRM aside, if the combat in this game is anything like Risen or Gothic 3 (haven't played the other Gothics), then I'm skipping this. Those games were so similar, it was basically the same game reskinned and I'm thinking this sequel will be no different. For those who haven't played those two titles, allow me to explain the combat. No matter what you are fighting--deer, human, monster--when you swing, the mob jumps back and you will miss about 50% of the time, unless you have them backed into a wall or other object. If they can't back up then you can combo them repeatedly without taking any damage yourself. If they aren't near a wall, just use a long weapon like a halberd and, even though they still jump back, they usually don't have a weapon that can reach you so you get away unscathed. It's the same tedious tactic throughout the entire game. Any other method had only lead to my demise, and it was incredibly easy to die in Gothic 3 and Risen.