It is the same as the other games, but since you have played them, it is unlikely to screw yourself over. Item stats are basically the same. With the ability to reroll though, it isn't really a concern at all.
Only thing is that with the use of the Bandit class, you start with Int 1, if you do not increase that to 3, one of the key npcs that uses boss souls will not have anything to do with you. That is the only class that can somewhat gimp you if you want to just go melee as all other classes start with a base of 3+ int. Saw a playthrough of someone who went "you don't want to talk to me, well screw you !" and killed him... not a NPC you want dead.
Only starting item worth anything (they are all usable items) is the Petrified Something that you drop (leave) in the birds nest. Of the items you can put into that (petrified something, small smooth shiny stone and smooth shiny stone) it has the highest chance of giving you a good item. Apparently the whip you get there (I've never gotten it) is one of the best early weapons in the game.
For gameplay mechanics, remember that you can have 70% weight for fast roll now and Vitality raises it, not endurance.
Oh, and exhaust ALL dialogue with NPCs. Even after you have talked to them enough to get a menu with trade/learn gesture, etc, choose talk until they start repeating.
And a tip, if unsure if the NPC is friendly or aggro, if you can't target it, it is friendly. Don't think I ever encountered a npc you can talk to or interact with that you can target before actually hitting them. There are a few npcs that might on first glance look like enemies, but aren't, so the cautious ranged approach make you miss out on NPCs if you do enough damage for them to aggro on you.
