Just beat the campaign for the first time on the Vita. I would say that I mostly agree with your analysis, with the caveat that I would emphasize more that things really do get much, much easier with time. I probably had a rougher time with the first stage than any other part of the game, save the Propeller Knight fight.
Also, while the architecture of most levels hasn't changed much, bits and pieces, here and there, are noticeably different. Plague Knight has at least one unique area per stage that Shovel Knight never saw, and the placement of blocks, enemies, and obstacles is often slightly different to accomodate his altered movement mechanics.
I would also say that the story is completely different, and many fun twists are had with the environment and the new settings. But I agree they'd be spoileriffic and ruin some of the fun, so I'll leave off here.
Yeah I kind of wanted to talk more about the story more, but there wasn't enough room. But I will say that the story was perhaps one of the most charming parts of the game and it's quite a bit more relateable than Shovel Knight's story in my opinion.
I thought the two stories were different enough hat comparing them is a bit difficult. Like... Shovel Knight's hinges on a mystery, slowly pieced together as the game goes on. But Plague Knight's is a lot more straightforward, even if that same straightforwardness gives it a lot of charm, as you said.
...I guess what I'm getting at is, I can't wait for Specter Knight's campaign, and how the hey did King Knight even place while Tinker Knight and the Enchantress were on the bill?
...And Propeller Knight. Said in French accent.
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Plague of Shadows (3DS version)
If only all DLC was as awesome as Plague of Shadows.
Po S is a free update for Shovel Knight that allows you to play as Plague Knight, one of the members of the Order of No Quarter who is most infamous for his difficult boss battle (stupid bombs getting flung in every direction). So now, you can play as that annoying bird man through the entire story instead of Shovel Knight!
The levels and boss battles are the same as they were in the original game, so don't expect much in terms of new content except for a couple of notable, spoilerish exceptions. What Po S does to make up for it, though, is Plague Knight's combat and gameplay. Plague Knight is absolutely nothing like Shovel Knight in how he moves and attacks. He relies upon using a variety of bombs and explosives that you can customize after buying them from Mona in your secret hideout, making for a variety of interesting attack combinations. Then not only that, but Plague Knight can't jump as high as Shovel Knight. To make up for this, he has a double jump as well as a third jump in the form of boosting by holding down the Y button and releasing into whatever direction you want to go. Due to these changes, Plague Knight has to run through levels in a much different way than Shovel Knight.
With that said, Po S is without a doubt more challenging than the original. Due to the tricky maneuvering techniques you have to master as Plague Knight, it's very easy to go sending yourself flying into a pit. No matter how great you think you might be at Shovel Knight, I can guarantee that you will die many times in the beginning levels. But thankfully, the bosses seem to be easier due to being unable to combat against aerial attacks and latter levels are easier due to the items that become available. But no matter what, you do need to master Plague Knight's style, or else you will keep dying over and over again.
Overall, I'd say that Po S, despite its increased difficulty, was better than the original game. The humor and plot was charming, and it felt extremely satisfying to reach the end. So if you own SK, get Po S. It's free, so you have absolutely nothing to lose.
Now let's hope that the King Knight and Specter Knight campaigns are just as fun, if not better.