I had a blast figuring out Ex2, but I could see that in hindsight or if you read a guide that it might feel little more than the same sort of thing we've seen again and again.

I'd still compare it favorably with e.g. Hades Extreme though; while both had mechanics that you would recognize had you played all the fights they were referencing, Hades Extreme does little with these mechanics, the solutions to even the complicated 'mechanics soup' type of things like "Universal Manipulation" just being "go stand in your clock spot / rotate 45 degrees to your partner's spot if you're <role here> / stack in your light party". DT Ex 2 by contrast at least mixed the old with the new; Sync + Eden Titan Triangles was a really fun combo.

Once you know the solution to both, they are similar, with only the execution of them being different. In that regard, at least there's more variety in Ex2 with how he may choose to swing the swords, whether a side is a donut or disc, and there being dynamic, moving obstacles more often. Hades Ex would still be identical for most mechanics, or "if I did x before, y will be done later". Not to mention having all of the same normal mode cutscenes plus a extra, plus an extra long one at the end just to say 'fuck you' to people farming the fight. Replayability is a major factor to consider in every encounter IMO; probably the duties with the least concern in that regard should be solo duties and Ultimates (I guarantee people who farm those will do so anyways).