The Souls/borne games are set in such beautifully realized worlds that someone could lose themselves in them for hours, days or weeks — even without fighting any monsters. Simply appreciating the artistry and architecture, the atmosphere and attention to detail is its own reward. So is exploring the intricate maps and collecting items and piecing together the story from their lore.Saying that I don't see the point in playing a game you are not actually playing does not mean I am against such a mode existing. Souls games are literally the only games I believe should not have scaling difficulty. And even those have somewhat of an easy mode if you grind enough.
For people who just want to enjoy those aspects... and for people who might only be able to enjoy those aspects, due to physical limitations or lack of skill... I don't see why it'd hurt to have a "casual mode" that allows them to streamline combat to varying degrees. The game could still have a message at the start that strongly encourages the player to play the game the way it was intended. The game could still make it clear that the intended experience is on the default difficulty. But there would still be a way for everyone to enjoy the game on some level, regardless of their situation.
Seriously, if Platinum can do it, with the most hardcore action games in the world, then From can do it, too.