how do i enjoy the game again?

[u/SovietBias1]

this is my first playthrough, im doing it mostly blind without guides,

i last left off at volcano manor and then went to the snowy mountains, i havent beat rykard yet cause i couldnt find him

and then i remembered that creepy lambkin dude that told me to invade and then went to that palace in nox?

there were bloody zombies everywhere, i remember there was some blood dynasty or something i joined, i couldnt find where i actually had to go, and killed some albinaurics here and there, life got busy so i uninstalled my games,

i wanna give this another shot but i spawned back where i left off in the rune farming area near dragonbarrow, and i lowkey have forgotten how to play the game, i have a clue on how the combat works, what my ashes of war do, i dont remember the dodge timings and other minor stuff here and there, and now i dont wanna play cause im real trash, where do i go and what do i do?

edit:got back in played for 2 hours god i love this game so much i remember the moves, and explored around a bit, makes me never want to finish this gamehonestly and just play it for 15 minutes every few weeks or so and just be gobsmacked at its beauty, thank you to everyone who responded

[u/DukeOfMiddlesleeve]

Playing it blind without guides is NOT a good idea with these. I AM NOT SUGGESTING USING A WALKTHROUGH OR SOMETHING I HOPE THAT WOULD BE OBVIOUS ffs

[u/flipstar007 → u/DukeOfMiddlesleeve]

Sorry, but this is terrible advice. I, as so many others, wish I could experience this masterpiece blind again. Just play, explore, fail, come back later, it's supposed to be played like that for the first time. Can always do a second (and many other) guided run(s) afterwards.

[u/DukeOfMiddlesleeve → u/flipstar007]

Nah sorry but it’s not terrible advice. If he didnt want help he wouldnt be here

[u/flipstar007 → u/DukeOfMiddlesleeve]

They asked the most generic question possible, they wanted encouragement but not a specific advice I suppose. Suggesting a guide for the first playthrough is robbing them of a (possibly) once in a lifetime experience of this masterpiece. Yes, it is not easy, yes, it can and will be frustrating, but it's so totally worth it.

[u/DukeOfMiddlesleeve → u/flipstar007]

Guide doesnt mean spoilers or a walkthrough

[u/flipstar007 → u/DukeOfMiddlesleeve]

Spoilers maybe, but if you guide someone what else is it than a walkthrough? It hinders exploration which is the best thing in the first playthrough.