I agree with Zeno. You should start with the Trickster Style to avoid your enemies'attacks. Just be sure to use all of the moves available in the game. Check the moves and attacks available in the File/Library menu by pressing the Left Directional button. I'm telling you right now, check them all.
And as for purchasing the game, you should buy the special edition.
What your friends said isn't entirely correct, the special edition isn't easier, it just has a new mode that's a lot easier compaired to the regular edition. That's all. If you must know what's the comparison of the difficulties between the two then here it is.
-the Easy Mode in the special edition is way easier than the Easy Mode in the regular edition.
-the Normal Mode in the special edition is exactly similar to the Easy Mode in the regular edition.
-the Hard Mode in the special edition is exactly similar to the Normal Mode in the regular edition.
-the Very Hard Mode in the special edition is exactly similar to the Hard Mode in the regular edition.
-the Dante Must Die! Mode in the special edition is exactly similar to the Dante Must Die! Mode in the regular edition.
You see? The only difference is that the special edition has an extra easier mode for the weaker players. And if you want a real challenge, then there's a Bloody Palace Mode in the special edition, where you're pitted to conquer a 10,000 floor battle arena in one go, without the use of any items.
You start at floor 0 facing a few weak enemies, as you fight fight your way to floor 9 999, you'll face tougher and tougher enemies and boss fights.
"Alot," isn't a word, don't merge the words "a" and "lot" together.