Bottom line - If you liked DS1 you'll love this one. It was a great ride with an ending, well, you've got to see.
It has all the elements I liked in the first with great new twists to spice things up.
As all the reviews mention the lighting and sound are outstanding. One of the creepiest sequences for me where areas lit by black light and glowing Luminol.
As for the action, man, no slow build up here. Right from the start you get going. I liked the pacing of this game, most of the time you can feel an adrenaline rush. Then a quieter section to get your heart rate down a bit. Then BAM here we go again.
There are some sequences that I found frustrating but very few and certainly no where near enough to even begin to spoil the game for me.
And, finally, one hell of a boss fight at the end and I must say the very end made me laugh out loud!
I'd recommend that you get this puppy, put on headphones or a 5.1 surround system and turn the lights off. I think you won't be disappointed.