I think they balanced it right. Some people still struggle on assisted mode saying not enough ammo etc though. Lol.Hardcore is the way the game should be played right off the bat, even on a first playthrough.
I will likely be playing hardcore mode in the future purely for the ink ribbons. My issue on the last play thought was I did not want to waste one of my 3 possible saves on stage 1 birkin, was thinking my first save would be before stage 2 Birkin, but without a knife I run out of ammo and by the time I run to collect some he hit me the 2nd time and I died. Lol. My 3rd save would be just before the last boss fight probably with Leon, that way if I struggle there no time wasted.