Right, the time has finally come. I played the demo multiple times last night.
I really, really enjoyed it. The framerate dip didn't bother me at all, I think people are just spoiled by having 60 FPS games in this day and age be the norm, which is perfectly understandable, but this is essentially just like LoS in 2D. Whatever lag people were complaining about in the controls as well was just like LoS too. It was practically instinct for me dodging and parrying enemy attacks and taking out the shielded enemies with the guillotine move.
The overall feel of the game is definitely clunky, but it didn't bother me too much because it sort of felt like the older NES games to me. Sub weapons collision was a little glitchy, I couldn't tell if they were doing any damage to the enemies when they stuck on them, same for the boss at the end of the demo, that's really my only complaint. I adapted very quickly to how this game plays and will most likely be picking this up when it's out.
EDIT: Actually, one other thing I wasn't ok with. Turn your 3DS down when you play this, otherwise the music will make your 3DS speakers screech. I suggest headphones.
I have to say this too, this game is freaking gorgeous. The videos don't do it justice, it looks fantastic on the 3DS's screen. I've said this before and I'll gladly say it again, Mercury Steam has some incredible artists.
So yea, the demo left me with some very positive impressions of what the full game will be like. This game, Fire Emblem, Animal Crossing, and Monster Hunter makes the 3DS absolutely worth owning this year.