HaroldTheHobbit
Hero
Imho it depends on setting/used Companion books and what power/playstyle levers you use - SW is pretty nifty in that you can shift mechanics and power level of campaigns pretty radical. But generally yes, it plays the same even if the GM obviously have to step up the opposition. But it's not as radical as in say D&D 5e where the game goes from pretty deadly at lvl 1 to unkillable superheroes after lvl 10-12.I've never been able to play SW long enough to get my players to the Veteran power levels, have you? Does the game more or less play the same?
In my experience, the thing that affect playstyle, deadliness etc the most is how generous the GM is with Bennies. Me, I'm extremely generous with dealing out Bennies, since I know my players us them for fun/stupid/creative stuff and not hoarding them to be unstoppable in combat. I've had a player spend a her last Bennies to convince the royal tailor to prep the queens dress with itching powder for the gala. So in a way the players make their own choice of preferred playstyle and campaign focus. I love it.