Now, I did not play Dark Souls 1, but my favorite of the ones I've played is Dark Souls 2. Maybe just because it was my first, but I also feel that DS2 is the game in the series that shows the best how the Undead curse is really a terrible curse.
I wasn't the biggest fan of Dark Souls 3. In a lot of ways it felt like it was just trying too hard to be like the previous 2 games, and didn't do enough to set itself apart. Besides, I couldn't help to notice when things I liked from DS2 were lacking. No Powerstance, no resetting single areas, no weapon as cool as bone fist, no ng+ changes, no npc invaders at the level of Maldron the Assassin, no fun and unique rings like Gower's Ring of Ghostly Hugs.
However, I really liked Elden Ring. It felt like it took a lot of inspiration from the things DS2 did well, but did much more than that to set itself apart to really feel like it's own game.
I have to agree about the curse. It really felt like you were dealing with something cumbersome rather than a "curse" that turned you into an immortal killing machine. 2 did some super creative things.
I think a ton of DS2 fans really love Elden Ring too.
Yeah, watching Maughlin the Armourer and Lenigrast the Blacksmith, forget where they came from, not recognize their family, forget what it is that drives them. And Lucatiel as she understands that her curse is starting to properly take hold so she makes sure to say goodbye while she still has her wits about her. Makes you fear hollowing that much more, I feel.
It really seems like they take a lot of "inspiration" from dementia, and that is probably why it's so terrifying.