I would just keep rolling with the the first character, look up a build via “Chase the bro” on youtube and follow his stats/setup best to your level. NG+ is the only way to get more weapons to +10/+25 and different endings/items for achievements but beyond that not really important.
This might be helpful. If you have not finished Liurnia or the first underground I'd go there.
ER was my first and only FromSoft game. It's absolutely, positively worth grabbing and investing the time in, even if that's the only game you have time for due to RL conflicts.
ER's difficulty is really overrated. A little bit of meta gaming (leveling up, getting gear/build advice, doing the content in the "right' order) makes it merely a hardish game.
Bloodborne was my first and favorite FromSoft game. It took me several attempts to get into it before it finally clicked for me. Been in love ever since with the series. In my opinion its the greatest role playing series of all time. Start anywhere and go. Elden Ring would be perfect, it's probably the most accessible as it's the most modern.
Here is how many people who haven't played ER rate its difficulty: "masochistic self-flagellation that you have to endure before you 'succeed'".
It's only difficult because it doesn't explain how itemization works. You need to prioritize leveling up your weapon over everything and collecting tears and trinkets that exponentially stack and up its damage. You also need to focus on one or 2 specific stats and use a weapon that scales off that stat. Weapon arts and whetstones also greatly affect damage output. With the right combination of stats, skills, and equipment you can trivialize even the end game boss fights.
