I picked up Dark Souls a few months ago; played it as soon as I got home and died against the Asylum Demon four times (the tutorial boss). I then presumed to rage harder then I ever have before -- throwing my Xbox Controller and flipping over my chair. Last week I finally cooled off and proceeded to play it again.
This time I approached it with a different mind-set. I was going to be more patient, more precise, and understand that death is part of the game and inevitable. I also made the decision to use a detailed guide for the early stages of the game (usually I refuse to use a guide during my first play-through, but Dark Souls was the exception). This guide helped me understand what all the beginning items and mechanics were, what class was the easiest for novices, what all the levels meant and what I should focus on for my class, and walked me through the early stages of the game. Honestly, this is what I needed it. This game is so complex and having prior knowledge of what everything means is critical for success.
Flash-forward one week later and I haven't picked up another game since. This is an extraordinary game that is absolutely underrated due to the immense difficulty. I wholeheartedly recommend this game to everyone. Just understand that patience is key and even the most simple enemies can still be a threat near the end-game. Don't take anything for granted, don't get cocky, and be aware of your surroundings and you'll do fine. I recommend looking up tips&tricks though before you start your adventure through hell.