Is this game truly hard? It feels like Skyrim

Hi all! I always hear how hard the series is. I remeber playing one of the early dark souls for a couple of hours only and dying to the initial skeletons if distracted.

Has the series changed since and somehow retained it's fame even if it's not really hard anymore?

Or have I been lucky to have a good play style and build (I'm playing double uchi dex)?

I'm not a super talented player and am not trying to boast. I'm generally intrigued as my memory of these first skeletons is very different, and elden ring that feels like just playing skyrim.

Thanks!