as a shitter who doesn't really play platformer / metroidvania games:
Elden Ring was my first dark souls game and I got to magrit at like level 7 with barely any idea how to control my character. It took me over 30 attempts to win because I never even considered going into weeping peninsula and getting some levels / better gear / more familiarity with the game

this game is like underleveled, undergeared magrit except it's every second boss, and I can't get more power out of items / levels