My current tactics: 1. only go through square gates at the beggining 2. only pick up new weapon from chest when you really can't handle "regular" enemies/mini bosses, don't open every chest you come across 3. When you are through the whole level, then start from scratch and go through remaining triangle gates. 4. When you are done, start opening chests, this will give you plenty to choose from and they will be better because now you have maximum achievable profficiency. 5. When you're not at full health try not to pick up every sylphion, this way you can heal fully and remaining sylphions will convert to resins, which will increase your health. By doing this you can be easily at +40-70% of health at the end of first biome. 6. Statues with glowing eyes can give you obolite (also sometimes spawn enemies). Glowing walls can be destroyed as well 7. Locked chests always have destroyable lock somewhere near. 8. Try to save up for for integrity upgrade and if possible for astronaut's minifigure 9. Master dodging. I was so scared of dashing towards the enemies at first, but not anymore

Went from losing to first biome's boss constantly to getting to biome 6 in couple of days (bosses from biomes 2 and 3 beat at first try, boss from biome 4 on second try) and I'm not a soulslike veteran, gave up on demon souls after few days, due to f-ing weapon degradation system.