Up to the end of the first investigation it at least has been more challenging and felt more involved. District Unrest rises faster, causing Anarchy to rise (I reached Anarchy 5 while trying to minimize unrest). You get swarmed by opponents so have to plan moves far more.
Just finished the first investigation (Gray Phoenix) and now I am at Anarchy 1 again, with agents at fairly good level, so things may calm down.