Yes.

Yea, there's more to it than just having everything unlocked from the get-go.

The story, environment, and characters of the game hooked me (and plenty of other people) from the onset and didn't let go till the credits rolled by.

Apparently, you've never played Metroid.  In that game, you only start of with the ability to die. 

To elaborate further, yes, it did start well, because those few moves serve as your introduction to the game, the primer with which you will begin understanding how the combat system works. The game's scenarios build up in complexity over time, as do your abilities. It only makes sense for the game to start off light - not slow, but light, the slowness was all your fault.

I agree, it was pretty boring. Like you said it was a button masher and the stealth wasn't very impressive. Granted I only played an hour or two at my friends house; but it wasn't that great.

Yeah the beginning was pretty darn good.

It just gets even better afterwards.

Yep, game was kickass from the getgo. It's not really one attack "move", it's one attack button. Using that button, Batman can perform, like 200 different attacks, based on where you are, and where the enemies are, it's just so fluid, and pure awesome.

What a strange game. In the last three hours of my playing it, it's gone from "average" to "brilliant".

You know, now that I can do something other than kick people from gargoyles.

My mom likes you, now.  She says, "Why can't you be more like that nice Kantor boy from down the street?"

Welcome to the fold.

Have you yet had to beat up a bunch of dudes in a way that makes The Dark Knight look boring?