You should give the older DSs a try again (and Bloodborne if you have a PS for sure). I still prefer the first DS. The combat is slower and easier, and generally just not as good. The world is amazing though. There's still no other game like it. The way it all links together and has tons of paths that connect different pieces of the map feels amazing.

If you do decide to play DS1, remember what you learned in ER about feeling free to leave and try something else if it's too challenging. Especially at the begining there's several paths and some are harder than others. One small spoiler is everyone says to avoid the catacombs at the start. There's an item you can get there that let's you heal more though, so it's actually helpful to grab earlier, just a pain in the ass. It's your call on that. There is no wrong path, but some are more right than others.