If it's the very, very beginning of the game (the 20 minute to 45 minute window) then I would say the game has to be absolutely frictionless (which it isn't) in order for the player to develop an emotional attachment to the character and game experience.
So that means enemies that are easy to kill (bar, say, the Beholder) - I have watched people struggle with the zombies, for example - more equipment and visual customisation options (for some reason customisation speaks to people), and quests that are completely clear as to the objective and what to do to achieve the objective.
Lowering the bandits may have helped. I don't know because I can't tell how easy they are now. Add a couple more caves in the Ettin woods with similar bandit leader type enemies and chests with clothing.