It's a slight improvement gameplay-wise, but a massive "been there, done that" in everything else. The story threads similar themes, character motivations and twists that the first one already made. The gameplay is still the same linear-as-hell style that stifles any and all player creativity (and stealth is broken this time around). And it's riddled with bugs on top of all that.

But I think the "defining" feature of the game is consistently and constantly having people be the absolute worst scumbags possible and having every single misery possible thrown at the protagonists only to then try and pull a moment of "but the world is good isn't it?". That's not to say you can't have this dichotomy of dark fantasy and hope, hell I absolutely can't claim that in a world where Berserk exists. But Requiem absolutely does not pull it off gracefully. It's like someone bringing a sledgehammer to your leg only to point out "but hey, medicine has gotten really far and you can get that fixed right?" while you're still writhing in pain. It's a stark contrast that requires you to shut off your brain and not think too much about it to enjoy.