Eternal pretty much integrates the Sci-fi story of the first game with the medieval fantasy lore it had in the codexes.
It’s a bit jarring in the first few levels because you don’t have a lot of the new tools so the game is still pulling it’s punches in case you need to get used to 2016’s mechanics I think.
I think it really clicks around the time you get the super shotgun and the mobility you get comes into play.
The tone is goofier than 2016 but in a metalhead’s drug trip kinda way that works really well in my opinion.
You should give it another shot and stick with it until you have the full arsenal, it has a ridiculous amount of depth.