Yeah, but the mechanics really push you towards certain builds. Bosses are too fast so 90% of the time you can’t use slower, heavier weapons effectively.

I also didn’t like how they went hard on “long wind up but extremely quick execution” for lots of boss attacks. In DS1 and DS2, you can kinda dodge attacks on instinct alone if your reaction times are good. In Elden Ring, you just have to remember the timing on the attacks which isn’t that engaging. Eventually, I just used my first attempt on ER bosses to kite the boss and study their patterns.

Hot take, smithing stones and souls should drop with twice the rate to make experimentation easier. I played blind on my first playthrough and managed to miss the Bell Bearing for Smithing Stones 1 & 2. It really hindered my experimentation, knowing there would be some grinding when I found a cool weapon late game or realized a boss took +%100 damage from some weird spellbomb or grease.