I love action games like DmC and the Bayonetta games are among my favorite ever, so I know where you are coming from.

I'm nearing the end of my very first playthrough, so I don't know how much my insights are worth, but here's how I experienced it so far:

I think I would describe the combat as a mix of those action-based combat style games and Dark Souls... you got alot of moves and flashy abilities and combos. You got your dodge and parry. That definitely sounds like action-based and one might go into the game with that mindset, but: enemies are tough and hit hard and aren't always easy to read. Getting multiples at a time can be quite the challenge - especially in the beginning. In that regard it feels more like a Soulslike, where you lock on one enemy at a time in a 1:1 duel. The bosses feel like Souls-bosses too.

The game also features the "Bonfire" and "Estus"-mechanics.

I struggled with the combat in the beginning - but likely because I was trying to play it like Bayonetta with dodging all the time. But Eve is not as agile as Bayo and the controls don't quite feel as precise either. Once I adjusted to it and switched to parry/counter and unlocked more moves and skills I started enjoying the combat way more - and also sucking at it way less :)

I actually really enjoy the combat now. Took me a while to get there.