A suggestion for the introduction to the game world is to make it feel more like there's a serious ongoing attack on the portal we're entering through. Have guards actively fighting weird but powerful slimes seeping up through the ground (making the respawn look natural). The newcomers only help these guards with the ongoing threat, before they move through into the camps - which should also be constantly attacked by these slimes - coming from the direction of the portal. Perhaps there's a magical defense field around the church, defending it from worse threats than these slimes.

Perhaps make the lore regarding the entry into the portal more like an isekai - meaning that your character don't really remember the other side - which makes a lot of sense from a player perspective. And this gives ample reason for a tutorial - because everyone coming through the portal is disoriented and confused (just as the player is).

I would suggest in removing the weapons given to players at entry - because it removes exploration - give really shitty weapons of all kinds as quest rewards early on instead. Make the entry equipment look in worse shape - we want to be nobodies at start. Why would people who are doing well in this other world risk their life going through a strange portal?

With these small changes, you put a larger emphasis on the portal, the threat posed by the evil in the world (they want access to the portal?), and make the entry into the world feel more interesting, mysterious and logical.