If it were last year before the major update, I would be posting this as Reccomended. I will summarise the strong points and weak points of this game before. Just note I have more hours than listed and beat the previous final boss.

Pros:
- Engagingly fun combat.
- Alot of fun unlockables, all of them being different in some way.
- Dungeon crawling
Cons:
- You rarely see your high tier weapons in the current dungeon crawl iteration (or even many magic items)
- Game is very skill reliant and requires a moderate degree of physicality (aka, follow through with your strikes and standing vr reccomended)

Then...:
Back before the current iteration of dungeon crawling (which was the main endgame I ferverently enjoyed), it was split between the different zones then a final long dungeon featuring all 3 biomes and a unique boss (with save points between). Additionally you started with any unlocked weapon ranging from the chad Flachion to the fun Gunblade. Sometimes you just started with a magic item like Fireball gem and just had to scavenge a weapon from an enemy. It was also completely procedural so exploring the side paths to get an upgrade or stat boost/curse was optimal.

...Vs Now:
These days its alot less procedural and the first *weapon* you got was from a limited pool. Gone are the days of getting a fragile magic item as your first weapon or a shield even (shields were useable as you can just shield punch to knock over/kill enemies). Enemies also just feel sturdier, you cant even impale an enemy and lift them up by your weapon anymore as the just stand while impaled on your weapon (No joke, you can lead them around via impalement). This has negated my enjoyment of dungeon crawling a bit. The more streamlined generation also makes it harder to get more powerful as well as limiting the variety of builds in dungeon crawling. Especially with the new perks (I prefer the old method of getting more powerful via stat boosts). The rarity of health potions make absorb hp via melee a must have. The lack of shields also makes it harder to deflect throwing knives (I have tried deflecting them via Blunting [Ox] stance and they still damage you even if you deflect them with your weapon, done with the irish longsword). Overall the old dungeon methods

Overall, if you can ignore the annoying late game and are just after initial fun, I would reccomend this game.}

Otherwise, its just feels like they are trying to control the level of power the player has which annoys me alot. I will take an explorative dungeon with more to do over the streamlined hardcore play. It also just feels like your are more mortal in general in the current patch.

Side note: Can someone confirm in the comments if weapon upgrade shrines exist anymore? I miss my iceblade sorceror builds.