Feels like 505 and OML hit the nail square on the head this time around, the story and world have been greatly expanded since the first game with new characters, more dialogue, and more backstory behind the world and the ghostrunners. Gameplay has been perfected since GR1, you now have a dedicated block button (right mouse) and you can still deflect shots back to the shooter if timed correctly. A stamina bar has been added, actions like blocking, dashing, and using the bullet-time mechanic all use stamina. Abilities have been changed significantly, you now have 3 base abilities that you get throughout the game, a shuriken which can kill weaker enemies in a single hit (assuming they don't dodge it), stun and allow you to grapple to larger enemies, a hologram that can attract enemies attacks to it while temporarily cloaking you, and the tempest returning from GR1. Some of the abilities from GR1, as well as some new abilities, have been made into ultimate abilities that you can only unlock by leveling up your motherboard, levelling up your motherboard requires finding pruple collectibles throughout the levels (with the exceptions of boss fights). Every time you level up your motherboard you get more memory and a new ultimate, more memory means more perks. Perks can be purchased from a console using a currency that you get from killing enemies and building up combos. Just like GR1, everyone's a glass cannon, including you, which makes combat encounters difficult to learn but incredibly fun to master. And just like GR1, GR2 still tracks how many times you die per level. The boss fights are a big step up from GR1, instead of blocking attacks in a perfect sequence, bosses have telegraphed attacks which you need to avoid before landing as many hits as you can in a short window. Some bosses have multiple phases so you need to be prepared to adapt accordingly. There's some things I couldn't cover so I advise you to pick up the game and start slashing.
