I'd argue it isn't. The encounter design is worse, which is partially caused by the "wider/larger" levels. Yes, the environments are more interesting to look at, but as combat/play spaces, they're boring. And the game essentially invalidates many of the possibilities it tries to present to you by railroading the player (especially on harder difficulties) into repeating stealth kills to solve an encounter; and the stealth mechanics are just not good enough to carry a whole game. And the fucking dogs were an annoying (rather than interesting) "solution" from the designers to change up the stealth gameplay. Some levels, again as a result of them being larger, are also overstaying their welcome, imho. Just too long. I know I am pretty much on my own with this opinion but whatever. It is what it is.
You'd think with how he was able to pattern recognize a certain other subject; he'd be able to pattern recognize a shit video game. idk maybe whatever they got him on to stop talking about the ____, has also lowered his taste in games.