Eh... I was fine playing on Normal for a first run-through. I had a few TPKs but it was a fun level of challenge (I speak as someone with a few years' experience in D&D though). I wouldn't knock story mode, but I also wouldn't automatically advise it for everyone, especially if you're not sure you're going to do multiple runs. It took me about 150 hours to complete my first run IIRC, so that's a lot of game time.
