I did notice it was WAY easier yet still pretty tough.... on new game at least... damn that + sign. And i wasnt a dark souls fan before playing dark souls2 so i didnt know wtf i was doing or how to aproach enemies from previeous experiances too much, a friend lend me dark souls 1.... needless to say i almost owed him a new game from my frustration to get to the 1st real boss after the tutorial boss. Tho i bought dark souls 2 so i could give those frustraded hours closure.... and it seemed way easier than dark souls 1 thru all the campaign, except a few certain areas. But i was never frustraded as bad as back then.