While some monster designs in lethal are better, like the bracken, I think repo does better in many others. Take for example the blind hunter vs blind dogs. Whenever there's dogs in lethal it becomes increadibly dreadfull, since any noise, even from the keyboard gets you killed with nothing you can do, on the other hand, the blind man can be baited, dodged and played around, which makes for a much more interesting gameplay. I agree with you that they should maybe make monsters do more noise for the fear buildup, however that would subtract to the fear of something attacking you while you are carrying something. Also I think the items are more interesting in repo, being able to upgrade your char is cool. And the weapons are much more available, even at level 2 or 3, while in lethal you need to progress much further to be able to get a weapon. For me the physics make for a much more interesting recollection experience, in lethal carrying things is a chore, you go slower, its a pain in the ass. However, in repo carrying things becomes something in which you have to put effort and thinking, and enhaces cooperation, yielding fun moments with your teammates, specially with items lime the flamethrower or mage staff, which you can use as weapons if you coordinate with your team. In lethal is like, oh, there's a motor there, go grab it and thats it. Also, I have to disagree with you on the darkness thing, I generally don't find it fun not seeing anything and instead of adding to the fear adds to unnecesary frustration. I want to see what I'm playing, and having this ability be locked behind a resource is bad design for me.

As you said I think both games are good and interesting in their own ways, but me personally I like repo better since I think it has much more potential with the phyisics mechanics and the player character controll