It's definitely harder now than it used to be, but I don't think it's too hard. Every time there is a hard encounter, it can be solved with good strategy. I think that's exactly the way this sort of game should be. The only exception I'd make is for the crocodile fight - they do have a bit too many skills. For a lot of people, that will be the first real fight in the game, it shouldn't be that hard that early in the game. The other fights are fine.
That aside, I feel like staffs need some kind of buff. I don't see any reason to use them over wands right now. If you want more defense, wand + shield is amazing. If you want more damage, wand dual-wield is great. Staffs need to have some kind of niche to be useful, right now wands are better at everything. Maybe give them some kind of buff to spell damage?
