Only played for about 2hours or so last night (haven't made it to the first boss yet), but enjoyed my time a lot (even having never played a Souls game in my life), although I died quite a bit.
I will re-post my response made to someone (on another forum) who was saying that he wasn't planning on trying the game due to its hardcore "die often" reputation:
"You just have to take it slow, and strategize your play.
I died quite a few times last night, but it can pretty much all be summarized with:
- Trying to do something I was not supposed to do (and highly clued), like taking down the intro Werewolf mano a mano repeatedly, or taking down the huge Ogres with massive 2H cleavers that can in fact easily be bypassed
- Trying to hurry up and take on a mob of guys instead of picking them out a few at a time
- Underestimating the slow humans with the 2H sword/ Cleaver. They might have few HPs, but if they can land a hit and get in a frenzy, they can 2-3 shot you.
Basically, I am starting to get the hang of it as in: be smart, back off often and do some pre-emptive dodging instead of going all in. Often you will dispatch minor foes easily, but things can turn to sh* very -very- quickly, leaving you dumbfounded and ... dead.
Also, as long as you get back your Blood Echoes (generally by simply going back where you died and killing the guy who offed you), dying isn't a big deal (besides having to kill again foes you had already gone through, which makes opening shortcuts a high priority). It is both a learning experience, and an opportunity to get more items and Blood Echoes.
Also ... stuff can respawn behind you apparently. Found that out the hard way..."
