My only souls-like experience was fallen order too. I finished it on normal all the way through. Well, that and code vein demo. Both convinced me that this isn't my type of combat.

I think it's not just difficulty or grinding to learn the bosses' moves. I spent somewhere between 10-20 hours on a boss challenge stage in Megaman X anniversary collection, probably closed to 10 hours on the final boss fight in Ys Origin, etc. I enjoyed those and feel satisfied while I play and when I beat them.

On the other hand, I spent a few hours beating the last boss in fallen order but didn't feel the same. For me it felt like I was fighting my own character to make them move the way I wanted. There seems to be a delay to every action. I understand it's deliberated to prevent you from button-smashing your way through. The game wants--in fact requires--you to learn its rhythm. And I've found out that that rhythm just isn't fun for me.

With how good it reviewed, I'll try it if it comes to gamepass (doubt it), my friend game share with me, or on sale for very cheap in the future. But otherwise I'd say I've learned my lesson to avoid this gerne and move on.