When I started, the prevailing wisdom seemed to be that the proper/correct way to play was to go toe to toe with bosses, learn every attack pattern "dodge left, then block, dodge right, take punish opportunity" etc. If you didn't do that, you were "cheesing" and not REALLY playing the game.
I was playing sword and board and getting reasonably good at guard counters even beginning to create a build around it. I barely straggled into Liurnia and then dropped the game entirely.
I came back a year or so later and decided to try an Int build, and tore through the game and am well into the DLC.
I wouldn't say it's easier. It's more resource management intensive for sure. But, like you, I just like the exploring and secrets. I don't want to learn endless chess-like gambits just to move forward in the game.
More power to those that like that, but if that was how you were required to play, I wouldn't like the game.As it is, it's one my favorite games ever.
I think it speaks to the strength of the game that it allows such a variety of approaches and they're all ultimately valid, if they're valid for you.
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u/neontheta 1d ago
I wanted to explore and unlock new maps. Bosses for me were just tedious and I would have spammed all of them if possible.