I've just started so I haven't even gotten to the stance changes yet. I got the bow and am on the one that gets stealth kills. So way early. Did a couple side quests end some light explorationYeah. The haikus, fox dens, torii gates, onsen hot springs, crickets, etc.. are all really cool. As someone who spent a couple years in Japan and has a minor in Japanese studies, I'm loving the unique cultural additions. Even the fact that stances play a major part in the sword combat makes me happy. This is the kind of open world game I've been wanting for years.