Game feels designed against melee

It's not the stats. Here are 3 examples of how PoE2 uniquely punishes melee players:

1) Spells and Bow/Crossbows can attack on the move, but only melee attacks cannot.
2) When you heavy stun a target - something many melee builds try to do and have a bonus for - the target flies backwards. This is not an issue for ranged attacks, but it is uniquely an issue for melee attacks.
3) Volatile plants and big slammers seem to be a big threat for melee players, but not a big deal for ranged players. You'd think monster attacks and monster abilities would be designed to punish ranged players, not melee players, since melee players are already dealing with positioning and exposure a lot more.

Therefore, I think even if melee stats were increased, it will not help. PoE2 will feel like a ranged game only, until the adjacent mechanics also accommodate melee playstyles.

in poe1, its the same, but there are exceptions

smite, molten strike.. but at least the entire build is very strong and fun.

you forget that melees have big balls, not the ranged.

( don't censure me sir edmund !)