Yeah I know where you're coming from. Having played both games back to back, I think I overall preferred the first one for a few reasons, one being the design of the overall world - the locations feel connected due to lots of shortcuts and paths looping back upon themselves. Even how you can see certain locations in the far distance while in others (I won't spoil anything in case you haven't been there!). I didn't get that same feeling with DS2, with all the separate branches - but both are still great games! Good luck in getting past Anor Londo, it's hard but do-able!