Having never delved too deeply in the Souls games, I barreled headlong into Bloodborne. And I found myself dying. Repeatedly. More than most other games out there, Bloodborne requires patience. You can't just go slashing away in the center of a mob and expect to escape unscathed. Doesn't happen. This is the first game since the first Ninja Gaiden on Xbox that made me rage-quit.
But there are some little tips I learned along the way that helped out. Some of the controls are vague and I didn't realize what they did at first. So I'll share a few tips that have helped me along my way (so far) and hope that others will add their own.
1) Don't run & gun and expect to survive. Take your time. Approach enemies with caution and always,
always lock on to them.
2) Have a pack of bad guys to face? Lock on and back up. If you can back up steps, even better. This forces them to funnel toward you and not surround you.
3) Is the werewolf at the very beginning killing you? Frustrated? Let him kill you. Then wander around the safe area you find yourself in, reading the hints. You will be provided with your first gun and slashing weapon. I chose the blade and the pistol (at work, can't remember the exact names right now). That Lycan is much easier with a weapon instead of your fists.
4) Dodge! If you don't plan on dodging or your particular play-style you usually use doesn't involve dodging, you can forget getting anywhere in this game.
5) Throw pebbles! Specifically, when you find yourself on a bridge, blocked by two Lycans. Stay back where they don't detect you. When one wanders close and the other isn't near it, hit it with a pebble. It will see you and give chase. Run down the stairs across from where you came up, round the corner and head for the open area. Turn and wait for the Lycan. Hopefully, only one gave chase. Lock on and start. Make sure to dodge. Having played this section several times, I've had both Lycans give chase, only one and other times, the second will show up about 20-30 seconds after the first. I've beaten them each way and I've also "beaten" them by standing close to the ledge and knocking them off.
6) You have probably noticed a doll in the Hunter's Dream. After facing the first "boss" and dying, the doll will come to life. You can use your Blood Echoes to upgrade your stats.
7) Find an area where you are comfortable with how to deal with the enemies and farm a ton of Blood Echoes. Return to the Hunter's Dream and cash them in at the fountain for the Hunter gear.
Reclaim lost health by quickly executing your foe. Instead of your health dropping all the way to the white line, you will regain a significant portion.
