Yeah, I never got into this game either. I'll echo the sentiment that the controls and UI are very weak and I don't find the combat mechanics or character advancement very interesting in the slightest. While the game picks up a bit after a "few hours", the opening hours are unforgivably dull, and I am a patient, patient man when it comes to things like this.
The atmosphere bugs me. Yes, it's dark and minimalist. I know it's supposed to be, but it's just not interesting and it all feels a bit uninspired and kinda "generic dark fantasy" to me. The plot and lore are minimalist but not in a way that's particularly interesting.
I don't know, maybe I'm an old man RPG gamer, but Dark Souls was just kinda...okay. Yes, it's difficult, but that isn't a selling point for me. It's just all a bit too action-y and bare-bones for me. I need more options, more atmosphere, and frankly...more to do.
I'mma join Pike and play some Fallout with a Speech-based on the hardest setting. That's more my idea of difficulty.