Video Games

I think part of knack to the fighting is using the skills to counteract those shortfallings.

attacking, deflecting, repositioning, stunning enemies at the right times help to stop yourself getting cornered or stuck in a camera deadspot become a bit of a dance. if you squint a little it can feel almost thematic once you get into the flow of it but it doesn't chain as well as games like say spiderman where you just transition around the fight much more seamlessly

the combat feels a bit lackluster after Elden Ring and Dark Souls (in a way that I can't really articulate

Playing on any difficulty lower than Death March just makes the game too easy. Even on Death March it isn't Dark Souls difficult, but it at least gives you a real incentive to put together a coherent combination of abilities, gear and play style (and makes resource management a lot tougher). Of course, if you're a Dark Souls fan you probably went straight in on Death March.

one thing that is tangible is fighting multiple enemies and managing the camera while the attack buttons are on the face instead of bumpers is a bit of a nightmare).

Making it a game where claw grip really makes a difference. This was the game that convinced me to learn it. Depending on the game, claw can work better on a symmetrical controller (PS, Stadia) than an asymmetric one (XBox, Switch) but for W3 it's the right hand side that you really care about, so it's all equal.

but do feel a bit disappointed in the gameplay.

You might want to explore a build/style that's more signs or alchemy focused - more complicated.

Stick with it. It's one of those games that is so much more than the sum of its parts imo - a bit like cyberpunk and control. It kinds of seeps into you if you play it for long enough.