It's certainly more dark in a way, yes. And different people will be into different stuff, if you don't like a particular path or scene, that's alright. But I will say that for me, ALL of it is pretty dark in one way or another, which is deliberate and the core kink of it. All of actual bad ends result in Mezz ruined, enslaved and with a significantly reduced life expectancy, one way or the other.
But again, different stuff for different people. I'm sure a lot of people just aren't down for a game as dark as this period, even with the cartoony element lightening it somewhat. I just glad you do still enjoy SOME of the game (probably most of it?).