Sort of. They front loaded the benefits of specific upgrades so you felt more buffed early on. So the new stuff scales more akin to sacred tears for flasks.
Honestly probably a worthwhile change. Hooks players in better.
You thought From was just going to make a massive DLC and let everyone waltz through it like they were a god with their high level base game character?
It is pretty lack luster. I was hoping there would have been at least one more layer of depth that might've let me choose between offense and defense rather than just both.
But to me: duplicating all new crafting materials and filling a lot of places with loot that can be purchased infinitely in the base game is more of a drag, however. Crafting is the original sin of Elden Ring.