I really do not understand why they are fixated on the path to punish players for playing the game.
Sekiro (kindof), Remnant 1 & 2 didn’t have punishment for dying it and are one of the best soulslikes.
Also, this game is more diablo-like than souls-like.
This being said, remove durability and associated runes and enchantments, being punished for dying sucks, regardless of how well the system is implemented.