So far it seems like a lot of people are finding the combat really hard and others are finding it incredibly easy, with a smaller amount finding it satisfactory. I'd say that this shows that combat isn't balanced well just yet.
Yeah, I am really nonplussed by experiences like those stated by the OP. I just made level three with my party and one character went down so far in all the battles fought (do to a pretty lucky strike at that). This game seems so easy at this point, I am about to start a new game and play it with just the main character (and maybe one companion if it's too tough).
