I wouldn't turn off the online.
It's a huge component, can't be ignored. Use it now, while the servers are still up!
An example where it helps *SPOILER ALERT*:
Storm Island or whatever it is called, there are those invisible female assasin things. There is usually a note saying, BEWARE OF INVISIBLE ENEMY (or something like that). That is useful, and probably prevented a death for me.
You really just have to grasp the specific disadvantages that each enemy has, and use it against them.
For example, the first type of enemy you encounter, you'll notice that more often than not they lunge towards you. And after they lunge there is a moment where they have to regain themselves. This is the time to attack. Focus on one at a time and you are set (the lock-on function is very important, at first I didn't use it, but later found out how important it is).
If you are having problems with the red-eye knight, just ignore him, it's normal, and you will probably only be able to beat him hand-to-hand near the end of the game.
Blue-eyed knights are easy, especially as a temple knight.
A battle of attrition would be difficult, and timely. Approach him with a two-handed attack stance. At least with the halberd your second or third attack will break his guard and leave him wide open for a thrashing.
So essentially with the blue-eyed knight you have go for an all out attack and hope it breaks his defence.
That's something I learned from a note found while playing online ... something that wouldn't have happened if disconnected ;).
But yeah, the game isn't as hard as people make it out to be. Work under the expectation of dieing a lot, and use each life to learn a few more tricks. With every trick you will advance a little bit further, until you get to the end.
