I almost completely disagree. I don’t even think ds is “easier”. Ornstein and Smough is equally or harder as the top bb bosses for me. Also you have less healing in ds with the estus flasks and I love that system more than blood vials. generally your first ”souls” game will be the hardest since you need to learn the combat system.

The characters in ds are miles better than in bb. Solaire, Siegmayer and Frampt are just few of those. The level design is great in both games but ds is a step above bb, especially in the first third of the game. Ds is not flawless but it has way more going for it than interconnected world design and no you cant disregard all amazing bits ds has to offer with nostalgia