Questions for the fans here. With a short intro caveat for flavour.
I did not enjoy Dark Souls series. Mostly due to it feeling very consoley and the controls being rubbish on PC.
With the above the following questions:
1. Is this very like DS
2. How are the PC controls
3. Is there a decent story
4. Is it a linear experience/are there RPG elements
The controls on PC are exactly the same on PC as console, as long as you're using a controller. If you were using a mouse and keyboard for souls then there's no wonder you didn't enjoy it.
To answer your questions though:
1) Very different. You can tell it's a Fromsoft/Miyazaki game because of certain elements, but the whole combat and movement system has been redone from the ground up.
2) Use a controller. You miss out on so much of what makes Fromsoft games so good by nerfing yourself using a keyboard/mouse. That said, the controls feel tighter and more direct and responsive. It almost has a Platinum-esque Bayonetta feel to how it responds and how rhythmic the combat can be.
3) Story is very Miyazaki-ish so far. It's told indirectly and with much nuance. In the way it's done it reminds me of the soulsborne games.
4) There's no level system like the souls games, instead you have skill trees. You earn and spend skill points to 'level up' essentially.