Even if not decapitations I think at least some kind of open wound, I guess if photo mode wasn't a big thing now it wouldn't matter as much but a game about assassin's doesn't seem like the place to worry about trying to be PG
As far as the storms yeah the rain looked better in black flag for sure, the lightning effect may be a bit better here, the bolts in BF were pretty big and cartoony but it still looked really cool plus they had the water spouts. That brings me to something I forgot to mention which is a lot of games this gen don't seem to bother making the surfaces look wet when it rains, they barely even show splash from drops hitting the ground. Last gen it seemed most games that made weather a focus had water running down walls or at least made them look wet, most games this gen seem to skip that. I'm sure it's more of a resource management thing and trying to squeeze performance out of other areas but I'm a sucker for great all around weather effects and I hope next gen that's something that gets more attention.
I don't recall game not having things get wet or splashing. Seems pretty standard. Origins in particular had (what looked like per-pixel) water soak up through dry clothes based on contact. Slashes left a lot to be desired. Way understated.
I've been playing the Wircher 3 again, and it has good splashes and being wet (though it's pretty much just a higher specular setting) has water running down walls, etc. Of course, that's the witcher...
Totally agree about the expressions. It really diminishes the impact and believability.