Of course I found it difficult when I played it as an 11-year-old. I rushed through the game, not doing sidequests and trying to avoid as many random encounters as possible.

I played it again last year, and it was very easy because I had the patience to level grind at certain parts of the game, also managing to do all the sidequests.

I don't think this is the fault of the game, it should and did feel rewarding in both scenarios for me.