Finally tackling this game. Dunno if ill do a LTTP.
1) I firmly believe there is nothing wrong with having difficulty modes. I see a lot of people argue back and forth about this on whether Souls game should have an easy mode and I say absolutely yes. I just don't see a downside to it other than maybe people losing pride over having beat it because now they share that distinction with other people who played it on easier difficulty. Anyway, I wouldn't call the game hard after the beginning, it just takes a lot of time to get there. And, for me, its less about "git gud" and more about "get some echoes, retreat back to the dream, level up and upgrade, go out and repeat." Grind until you can kill the next boss. Its a time sink more than anything and I had the same feeling when I played Demon souls. I spent time on that game and got nowhere.
2) The world feels very fake. Im going to catch a lot of flack for this, so ill explain. Yharnam is beautiful, I like how its just one continous monolith of a city, but there isn't any rhyme or reason to the layouts. You have people that say meaningless things from doors as if all they do is stand next to there door, people who do talk don't have moving lips, etc. It feels super video gamey and not at all immersive.
3) I don't think the game does a great job explaining things. It took me until recently to know how to Run, and I still am not sure what up on the d-pad does (I'm trying not to look things up) and there is a blue orb that launched me into the air, but it almost looks like a glitch so I'm not sure what that does. I also can't shake the feeling like there are other mechanics I'm missing completely.
BUT
the game is fun. I wouldn't have admitted it before but I am addicted. I wouldn't say Im loving this as much as... some people here, but I am having a great time. Im probably a little more grindy and a little less skill then the average player but I'm not sure i have another way. Currently stuck at the Vicar monster thingie, having a lot of trouble with it, but I can't wait to conquer it.
I still wish this game had an easier difficulty mode though. I want to enjoy this game but it takes hours I don't have. I probably have played for close to 10 hours now and I haven't beaten the third boss, and from the looks of it, there is a lot more game ahead.