"Feeding levels" to the player is absolutely the opposite of what you should do in a cRPG. If you like Diablo or any other mindless action-RPG then yes, absolutely. In a game in which you develop a story and make connections with the NPCs, leveling after 1 hr is even too fast.
I'm a bit torn on this topic.
On one side I tend to agree with you that "feeding levels to the players" is DEFINITELY NOT the way to go and something I generally really don't like in RPGs. I like when every single level up is a struggle and feels an important achievement.
I'm also definitely not a fan of games showering the players with items. That fits hack'n slash far more than proper RPGs.
Hell, I typically enjoy the early hours when getting ANYTHING to fill empty slots feels like an accomplishment already.
That said, I think that statement shouldn't be taken at face value but read as a symptom of a problem.
The introductory part does indeed lack a bit of sparkle, because while I may have some problem to point a specific flaw and consequent solution, at the moment it fails to hook me with the same effectiveness of the early hours of D:OS1.
