I am also to some degree but I think I went into this with different expectations, not expecting punishment and so therefore I was taken aback.

Thanks for the tips, I have read you can break the game within a few hours but that isnt what I'm really looking to do so I'm going to try and use a guide as little as possible and just look up specific points I need clarifying.

Apparently I inadvertently chose the more difficult character but the storyline differences does seem interesting. I'll see how well the game clicks over some more time!