Can only agree with you here. The load time for the map is annoying (especially cause you constantly need to use it). The framerate has definitive issues and there are even freezes. I also don't like that the menu remembers your last position. If I was on the shards page last time, then back to the gameplay, then want to check the map - I end up at the shards and have to press LB. I think the difficulty comes from going where you are not supposed to go yet. Which is fine. But the map and the pacing are worse than in the first game IMO. It's more open, but it's more difficult to traverse the map.
And boy do I hate the new checkpoint system. I went in the wrong direction (somewhere where you need "bash" to progress. It creates a checkpoint right in that area with two hard enemies right next to me whenever I respawn. Probably not a late game problem, but with just three health orbs and the "take more damage" shard equipped it's fucking annoying. Died three times just trying to get out of there. If you respawn at a checkpoint, there should never be enemies just waiting for you.