I've put about ten hours into this and don't really find it enjoyable, it's a bit hard to believe its actually by the same developer because they changed a lot of things around. The game has lots of bugs and jankiness, weird balance issues, terrible flowchain issues/mechanics, and is just not much fun to play.

For example, you have to find recipes to actually produce new iterations of drugs, however, its not clear how you find them in the game world. You are also expected to produce substances whether or not you have unlocked the recipes as you make progress on goals, and if you cant you lose reputation!

The game focuses a lot on combat with fighting hoods and gangs, and this is pretty annoying, it is however the best way to make money! (at least early on)

The game doesn't really reward exploration or tweaking recipes and adding fillers like the first one. (That was a big fun part of the game and quite satisfying) and it seems that you are simply expected to produce said quantities with no real scope of their quality...

And finally, placing of furniture is rudimentary. You cant place raw ingredients or drugs in big piles like the first one (So its not like hoarding loot in Skyrim anymore) Using lab equipment is also not really fun or interesting.

Essentially all the strong elements of the first game in regards to crafting, collecting, hoarding, and stacking cash, base-building/big dope lab design/optimization all seem to be removed or largely dialed back, and are replaced with a focus on this weird personnel management minigame (The Cartel) with a meaningless co-op multiplayer mode...

I could press on further but after exploring three areas, and digging into guides on how this plays, I just don't see the appeal in continuing.