yea earthbound is pretty difficult in the beginning (the first boss is kinda shit) and then gets more easier... until fourside and then the last "your sancturary" location

mother 3 in many ways is different from earthbound, its less surrealistic, more story-based and combat is a bit more streamlined but its also Super Good. both of them are one of my favourite games, i hope you enjoy mother 3 when you get to it :::D