I platinum'd demon's souls your point is invalid.  Me being able to overcome bad features is irrelevant.  Of course I can do I'm a badass but it doesn't make it any less annoying.

Should I play this game if I never tried Demons/Dark Souls? I feel like I should because it's really ps4's first critically acclaimed exclusive, but if I'm going to be completely lost I doubt I will bother.

I was lost in Demon Souls, and I like it. Believe it!

Go for it. It's an excellent game, and you will learn as you progress.

It is my first game as well, I got killed 5-6 times at the first enemy, I kept slapping him around because I didn't realize I need to equip the weapon. 

And now that I figured out I don't need to fight every enemy, especially those 10 feet taller than me that are sitting away from the action, and not to fight 5 people at once, I am actually doing decently.

my biggest suggestion to other 1st time souls players is to watch a video on how to run to cleric, fight him, prolly die then grind a few levels around lamp 2 while occasionally dual the Axe weilder near there. You learn the combat and get a few needed levels for a newb.

If you like old school games then yes.  It's been a while since I've played anything that's made me think and strategize.