RE: The Problem with Games Inspired by Dark Souls
Dark Souls is definitely not a perfect game but I think the craze it caused for being the one who made people say "OooOooOh thIs gAmE iS sO hArD" Is what really drives these companies or... clones.
In a really basic concept, Dark Souls is about learning the layouts of your map, knowing how to manage your stamina and laggy moves but also learning enemy's patterns and realizing when to strike and how. But there's so many ways you can take that in terms of creativity, gameplay and strategy that sometimes developers just want to replicate what a player feels when he's into a Souls game. It's not only about getting past a difficult obstacle and then feeling great about it. It's about growth, development and you as the player feeling more experienced.
Really good points you bring out, man!
Also, Dark Souls actually branches out at about 60% through the game and Demon's Souls lets you go one out of five ways from the beginning. So, what I am trying to say is the fact that they are a lot less linear than the clones. If one area annoys you, go try another one. Still, I really hope that The Surge 2 learns from The Surge as much as The Surge learned from Lords of the Fallen.