I'd never noticed a difference myself. Also, I quite liked the sometimes slow pace of combat - that and the excellent sound effects gave it real weight and grunt, far beyond anything else I've played. When my Dwarf Guardian shield slams something, the noise is incredible. And his 'Ya-haa!' when he does some particularly tasty move with his axe raises my neck hairs!

Having said all that, I'm open to anything and I'm not complaining, so lay off the brick bats! ;)