So, for those who have played both the old version and new version (Re-Reckoning) of this game...

How is the new Very Hard difficulty mode in KOA: Re-Reckoning in this Re-Master?

Out-the-box, in the old version of KOA:R (without any mods) - on Hard, it felt like you could easy over-power the game; especially if you do a lot of the side-quests.

I'm wondering how much harder Very Hard in this Re-Reckoning new version makes the game and if it's a drastic improvement over the original game's Hard Mode, more or less.

It depends on the person. To me it was tough. At a low level, you are going to die a lot if you don't have potions. But dang it is fun.

The Very Hard difficulty has a higher level range for the enemies, so the areas can have enemies at a higher level than in the old version.
Also they attack more often, to make the game more challenging in the endgame.

Statement from the devs:

"First, we added a difficulty mode like all the others. They module damage output of enemies, health of players and allies and the amount of attacks that enemies may do at any one time.
Secondly, we fed the difficulty into how enemies level in respect to the player. On Very hard mode, levels will be higher, level cap for areas will be higher than on easier modes."

https://thqnordic.com/article/faq-kingdoms-amalur-re-reckoning

Very Hard very much improves the game is so many great ways. It's very tough at the start, no doubt. I had to be very careful with my fights early on. But now, at level 16 and going through Glendara (6th zone or something?, well it's the 6th zone I'm on now) and most fights I can dispatch without too much trouble. But enemies are always above my level still and the more powerful enemies like trolls, ettins, thrashers (curse those assholes!) take some work to bring down. Swarms of enemies are dangerous but doable. Durability of weapons was only an issue at the start but with higher quality gear I barely repair my stuff.

XP gains are way down, and that's for the best. Keep in mind, I've done every side quest, side dungeon, fought nearly all the monsters I see, and have used the fate kill move (I forgot what it was called) at +100% XP gain each time, and I'm just at level 16. And I doubt I'll level up until halfway through the next zone. Now I expect to hit max level before the end of the game or the DLCs but so far it feels more balanced and progresses nicely than in the original.

I remember in the original game on Hard I eventually skipped all side quests after a certain point and beelined the main quest. Enemies would die before I can finish a combo. It felt like a waste of a game! Here, on Very Hard, I feel I can use my whole suite of abilities and combos without worry. It's a much improved difficulty, and I feel it's the best way to enjoy the game to it's fullest.

I wonder if a modder, by the name of Youngneil1 was involved. He originally came out with the mod "Worldmerge" to tie Two worlds 2 and Pirates of The Flying Fortress into a single game with the former multiplay maps included. Then he moded it again to make it extremely difficult.