What class did you play with? Demon's Souls is significantly easier or harder depending on the class you selected. The game itself I thought was mostly a breeze depending on how itemized you made your character and your class composition.
However, it's a throw back game. You need to block certain attacks or you will die. You need to roll away. You will learn through dying. You will die in ways you didn't foresee. Beyond that though, there isn't much to it. Oh and NG is really when it gets more difficult too.
The game just felt unique and didn't have you running from set piece to set piece. It was a calculated, paced, cautious exploration. This is more challenging for some than others but it sets an atmosphere of suspense constantly.
