It's 2D Dark Souls alright, a pretty good one too, not many "Souls-like" can actually replicate that Dark Souls feeling.
Sometime the game came off as annoying and BS rather than hard but fair like when certain bosses decided to use OHK stun lock projectiles attack if you fail to dodge any of them, too much platforming and some of them are really annoying because your character sometime will just won't grab the ledge for no reason.
Other than some little annoyances it's like playing DS1 but 2D, both the good and bad parts.

The original 2D Soulslike. Salt & Sanctuary is basically a port of Dark Souls into a 2D world with some light Metroidvania elements added. It is difficult and you will die a lot. Unfortunately, like it's parent DS, there is no map. This works fine in 3D and.....not so well in 2D. But the game is still fun and well worth it for anyone who likes Blasphemous or other 2D Soulslikes.

Souls-like fan here, really liked this one.
Sucks that the second one isn't as well received.