Really want to like this game but I'm struggling with the combat

I don't recall having this much of an issue with the first one.

How do you isolate machines? as soon as one is alerted they all are. How do you deal with alerted machines? I use their elemental weaknesses like acid and fire and they barely do any damage despite using blue bows. The machines are not fun to fight because as soon as they're alerted they can charge you from 50 metres away or snipe you taking off half your health in one go.

The machines can also spot you from 50m away if you step out of the brush for one second and of course once they're alerted the only way to deal with them is to smoke bomb and try all over again.

I'm just not having fun with the combat and I hope I'm doing something wrong so I can get more enjoyment out of this.