I think the story is way worse TBH. Using time travel AGAIN and giving it a much bigger presence than in the first game was an insane choice. I like the first game's story. Bayonetta and Cereza's dynamic is done super well and there's a lot of memorable bits. 2's story I barely remember except for being confused and hating Loki.

Oh I love the Bayonetta/Cereza dynamic in the first game, I just consider it as a part of the character writing, not a part of the main story