I would say no to that. It's definitely much more of a challenge than Dark Souls and there are a number of different things you can do to make it even harder.

It's easier and harder at the same time, if that makes sense, stuff like the 10% off health each time you die, and that invasions can happen even when you're undead, kind of smarter AI, also not raising your adaptability makes it harder, while stuff like life gems make it easier, overall i think it's well balanced.

Seems harder to me... at least in the beginning when you don't have any stats or weapons... almost threw my controller a few times... -___-

The framerate is def a bit substandard but I've realized that it generally only happens really badly when it's loading a new area (when you pull a lever to open a huge door etc.) Def would like to see that fixed tho for sure...

Is it happening everywhere for you? I've only played a few hours and just beaten that long spider armed boss guy

I haven't reached this boss yet. Have done everything before the last giant and a lot of coop.

It is under 30 fps almost the whole time. When cooping, though, damn, I don't know. Maybe I was playing Bayonetta and didn't realize. hehe

Thanks for the advice man. I really want to like this, honestly. I've had Dark Souls for a long time now and haven't traded it in because I've always felt like I would go back to it one day and figure it out.

I guess it really does just come down to "not getting it".

I was the same exact way with Demon's Souls. I played it twice and took it back both times. Then my friend got into it and started telling me all about it. I decided to try again and let go of my preconceived notions of what a video game should or shouldn't be and let myself get lost in the Souls universe. It's amazing and there is nothing else out there like it. I wish you luck!