I think DS2 had better encounters and more interesting locations. I also loved the small changes they made to combat and hit boxes, as well as allowing more open PvP to happen. I think it stands up to the original well.
I don't agree, at all. The combat is worse, the hitboxes suck fucking ass and the ONLY times when the bosses are actually difficult is when they use cheap tactics like instant kill shit or having to fight more than one at a time, which this game does more than once.