That's underestimating the game's difficulty. The early game is literally almost impossible and completely RNG-driven.
When any enemy attacks you, they can kill you in one hit and reset the run regardless of what you do, depending on RNG. It's not that it's a very difficult game at first, it's that the game difficulty is poorly designed.
And if what you say about how easy the late game is is true, it is clear that this is a failure of the game's design.
I haven't played too much, but in my experience it's really not too rng... Besides getting abducted by the van early game, which can get you negative money somehow... Seriously fuck that event... Besides that though, it's just a matter of weapon supply.
First round, avoid combat and any optional events you can. If there's a house to rob and you have full hp or more, rob it. Keep stealing at the house until the cops catch you. Steal guns from the cops then run away. There are indicators for escape chance and how many guns you can steal per cop. Stealing increases escape chance. If you get more than 4 guns, start killing random enemies with guns or whatever else you have. Just keep 4 for the boss. Level up luck and dexterity alternatively for gun damage and stealing. Repeat until you get to the boss. Beat first boss with guns.
Just tried it and had 12 dex 12 luck after first round with 8 leftover guns.
I'll usually repeat the first map instead of going to the second. On the second round, I'll start shooting everybody as long as I have more than 4 guns. Once you have enough luck to reliably one shot any enemy with a gun, and enough dex to usually steal a gun per round, you're pretty much good to go. Should be good by part way through the second round.
After that move onto the next map and upgrade whatever stats you want. You've pretty much beat the game as long as you make sure you don't waste too many guns. After the second map I make sure I have at least 10 which is overkill, and I've never had an issue.
Edit: Also don't worry about losing max health or stats from starving. That bothered me early on, but most stats have ways to increase besides leveling up.
Health increases from eating at fancy restaurants.
Arm increases from random events.
Leg increases by kicking.
Dex increases by stealing.
Stealth (I think) increases by stealing from houses
Luck increases by donating.
Charm can be bought
Negotiate is useless? So I don't care.
Edit: Yep, just tried my own advice. By partway through the fourth round (third map) I have 25 guns, 21 arm strength, 21 length strength, 31 dex, 15 stealth, 26 luck, 25 charm. I'm really only relying on luck, dex, and guns to survive and it's easy. The rest are just leveled up because I don't need more luck and dex.