Cast is substantially better than the first game, dungeon design is better, combat is better.

Running is still stupid and too punishing, the scholar skill should just negate encounters instead of making them less of a chance.

Edited; the final boss isn't THAT bad but it does take a lot of prep and it is a massive difficulty spike compared to the rest of the game; just a side-note.

Asides from those complaints, this absolutely swamps the first game in every single way possible.