I might only be halfway into this. (Since the updated version added a lot more end-game content.) But I don't think my opinion is going to waver too strongly in either direction. So I'm just going to give my thoughts so far on, Death's Gambit Afterlife. 

[u]Positives[/u][list]
[*] It's level design is competent. (Has enough shortcuts and an underutilized fast-travel horse to cut down on backtracking time.)
[*] The exploration and world is done well enough. (Has a decent amount of freedom in what bosses you fight first, and useful secrets to find.) [i]Probably what's kept me engaged thus far.[/i]
[*] The pixel art and different environments of the areas are nice enough to look at. 
[*] The game has a sense of humor. (and that's appreciated.)
[/list]

[u]Neutral/Personal Issues[/u][list]
[*] The UI is cluttered. (For various reasons.) Even in its "improved" state.
[*] Movement is floaty and not precise. I swear the jump/hover mechanic just doesn't work consistently.
[*] I picked the nerfed class that apparently isn't allowed to have any new weapons/skills whatsoever. So I've gotten new and improved items for every single class aside from the one I picked. [i]Gee thanks.[/i] And an anon redditor's advice to someone else acknowledging this was, "idk, you can restart the whole game maybe." [b][i]Fuck. You.[/i][/b]
[*] The only reoccurring hitch that I've noticed, is the seconds-long pause that it does when I first load my game.
[/list]

[u]Negative/core elements that make or break most Metroidvanias&Soul-likes.[/u][list]
[*] These boss fights [b]suck[/b]. Their attacks are poorly telegraphed. Their hitboxes are huge. Each of their attacks do so much damage to your character. And most of them have numerous time-wasting gimmicks on top of that. (Becoming invulnerable and/or invisible, summoning distraction monsters, healing themselves, making the screen dark, etc.) Now onto the cherry on top; I still beat every single one of them on my first try. (Nine bosses total thus far.) Because the game gives you seven improvable health potions right off the bat, and it doesn't feel like I'm outsmarting/outplaying an artificial intelligence. It feels like I'm always tanking hits against these cheating bastards, and killing them with the same hit & run tactics. (Doesn't help that my class only has three abilities.) So the idea that I'm only halfway through, and it forces you to rematch five bosses to get the "true ending", doesn't make me excited.
[*] The RPG stats and skill tree are very limited. (Don't get many skill points and don't grind EXP fast.)
[*] Enemies are obnoxious and spam-reliant.
[*] Stupid design choices (Makes end-game content and road blocks that require you to have certain items that you've likely already scrapped for upgrades. Meaning, have fun grinding.)
[/list]

So, I won't stop playing yet. But my next session will almost certainly be me wasting my time. (With the only interesting thing is that my friend decided to buy and play it with me. So it might compel me to see it to the end.) 

Play Blasphemous instead.