Basically title ^.

I can't decide if I want to Normal or Hard my first run through...

How hard has it been in everybody's experience thus far?

I play on Nightmare. I have yet to continue playing the game, but so far it's quite difficult, although it's probably not due to the difficulty level, more so for the bullet sponge enemies. As for your question, give us a little background. Are you an avid FPS player? What system are you using?

I use both systems, I've played tons of FPS and TPS games. I've played every Call of Duty, Halo, most Quakes, Counter-Strike Source for PC, Battlefield 2 for PC, and the list goes on with just FPS... but I don't want to get frustrated on the game my first run through, is my main point. I'm leaning towards Hard, but not sure... Don't want to restart on Normal later.

As stated the bullet sponge enemies will probably piss you off, as it has for me, but if you're on the fence of what difficulty, just go for hard.

Hmm. Does hard have bullet sponge enemies as well, though?

I was wondering if my difficulty, as stated I played on Nightmare, was a cause to this, but it seems a lot of people complained about it and weren't on that difficulty level. Even in the developer walkthroughs it was noticeable, and I'd imagine they weren't playing on anything above 'Medium' difficulty.

I've only played the first 1/3 of the game or so (about 12 hours so far), but based on experience in the early levels I would suggest Hard or Nightmare.

So far Hard has been a little bit too easy because pistol ammo has been very plentiful when looting dead bandits. The monocle and the settler pistol alone will get you very far during the early levels.

I don't have an assault rifle; however, and at the current point where I'm at (playing on Hard), most of the looted ammo seems to be AR bullets. I just got access to the garage in Wellspring and at this point ammo is starting to become a bit scarce as bandits and mutants are not dropping buckshot or sniper ammo. (I don't believe in buying ammo from merchants.)

Ok, I suppose I'll try hard. Thanks for the heads-up.

Also, is it possible to change difficulties mid-game?

Yes you can change the difficulty mid game. I'm doing first pass on normal (avid FPS player here, but wanted to take it easy and RPG it more). The "bullet sponge" effect is also true on Normal, and the later missions will have harder enemies where several head shots and armor piercing bullets help, but they will come at you close and fast at times, and don't drop easy.

Yea my point exactly, I can't decide whether I want to RPG it more and take it easy my first time through on Normal, or just on Hard. I don't know if I'll get to playing a second or more playthrough on a harder difficulty later, which almost makes me want to do it on Hard the first time.

I started the game on hard, and I believe it was the best decision. Second playthrough will be Nightmare