I liked the second season, but was not as impressed as I was with the first. I think, once we know what is happening, once we understand the game, everything after that is unnecessary. While I accepted the violence in the first season as necessary to the plot, the violence in the second season seemed more gratuitous, because we already got the message.
I don't think Gi-hun is just out for revenge. I think he wants to save people. I think he is burdened with the memory of the deaths that in a way he contributed to by playing. He is tortured by his conscience and only saving people will assuage his pain.
Anyway, that's the way I see it :))
Great review for a great show, first and even second season. I for sure am going to watch the third season, if I can, because I have to find out what happens.
That happens with the second seasons of all series, they don't impress. The concept is the same, as is the message. What I see in this new season is that the addition of new characters brings something new to an already known plot. I liked it. :)