I have the exact same opinion regarding PoE 1 and the general approach towards main and side quests as Durante.
It's perfectly normal to feel weak and lost for the first few levels in a crpg, that's why it's important to do side stuff to learn the rules and how to exploit them, find better gear, discover new party members that are a better fit for your party, etc.. It's a built-in difficulty and learning curve that exists in all crpgs, regardless of age, but after that, if you're built decently well, it's smooth sailing until the usual difficulty spike in the last area/dungeon.
Regarding PoE1, I know it had it's flaws but I enjoyed it immensely, especially the story, lore of the world, the god's pantheon and the companions were great and had great personal quests (except Pallegina, she sucks). Shoutout to Durance and his whore of a goddess. It's a shame PoE 2 failed to capitalize on the best things of the original and, worst of all, the story was unfinished and probably we'll never know how it ends.