It's based on GraphQL, which is definitely not a hack like XML => language and currently catching on faster than a forest fire. Dgraph's derivation, GraphQL+- (for lack of better name) is a lot more powerful than Cypher or Gremlin. Both of the latter allow only returning lists of results; while GraphQL+- returns back an entire subgraph. Thus, all the relationships are maintained. It also allows expressing complex joins using a function like variable blocks; feeding results from one into another like you'd do in any popular language.

You can try running some complex queries with GraphQL+-, it might change your view. http://play.dgraph.io/

Edit: I still think it looks hideous. Def try to figure it out more tomorrow.