started a new playthrough last night to re-familiarize myself with the mechanics, controls etc...this game is the most punishing 'Souls' game in that it plays so differently from any of the previous Souls games and it takes me some time to re-familiarize myself with it...not having any shield and having to use that dodge/step-back move is really a major change that takes some getting used to
I was kicking ass 6 months ago but now I'm dying to Cleric Beast, Gascoigne and even regular enemies
Yea Bloodborne is much more aggressive with the combat than Souls. Except for dodging I see very little defense involved. I notice if I am wailing on enemies fast enough after they damage me, my health bar grows.