Comparing it to Utawawerumono is inevitable. Same company (leaf) made both games.

Not too much happened in the first episode, other than some pretty nice action and the basic setup. It seems pretty similar though. From the OP, it also looks like Riannon doesn't really have much in the way of combat ability, just like Eruru in Utawa, and all the other girls are well accomplished in either magic or combat. Hopefully I am wrong and she will show something impressive a little bit later.

I like the animation too...but not as much as I liked the scene in the OP shot from above with that dude wielding the HUGE sword and just chucking the guy/girl off of it. Can't wait to see him smashify some poor bastards, no matter who's side he is on.

I agree with animus though, there was no "catch" to the first episode.