It seems to me that Sekiro is most enjoyed by people who didn’t like the rest of the Fromsoft lineup. I’m finding the combat less dull than Bloodborne’s, primarily because I’m taking an active role by parrying instead of dodging all the time. I find the parrying very rewarding, in the sense that it tickles that part of my brain that likes the shiny flash and the TING

is it just the fast paced combat and grappling hook that helps it?

That, the simplified leveling system, the lack of a stamina bar, the healing gourd having a ton of uses between rests, and the resurrection mechanic. There’s a lot of little things about this game that makes it easier than a typical Fromsoft game, without making it trivial. It’s the perfect level of challenging for me personally