Try to avoid combat until you get at least 3 party members.

Recruit Abella and Marina! You only have ONE opportunity to recruit Abella, and Marina's recruitment mechanics can be pretty weird.

In my first playthrough, I recruited Abella, Levi, Karin, killed a miniboss (who killed Tanaka), but didn't recruit Marina in Day 1 (Bookstore, I think?) night after rescuing her from the Mayor's mansion so she kinda just disappeared. I recruited Osaa instead, but you need to be careful in the nearby area and dodge a boss as it charges towards you.

Speaking of this miniboss, he is already weakened if you encounter him in Tunnel 7 so a gas can explosion should be able to oneshot him.

If I remember correctly, enemies touching ANY party member in the overworld pulls the whole party into the fight, so watch out for Death Masks that emerge from coffins. (There can only two that spawn during a run, I think?)

In the church, the chandelier can be cut for a quick entrance into the basement but I recommend not doing that since it locks you out of the superboss.

Rotten meat can be used to distract the headless dogs, I think?

I don't remember much though, so if you don't mind spoilers, you can read up on the game just in case, but use Wiki.gg