Pros compared to X1:
Stage design has more flair this time around. X1 had some pretty killer level design itself, but you could tell a couple of the 8-main stages were phoned in. X2 rectifies that and then some.
Likewise the bosses are more interesting. Many have multiple phases or quirks. Kicking a robotic snail's shell away like a football so he can't use it is peak comedic action.
X1 vividly wanted you to play Icy Penguigo's stage first to get the dash upgrade. Tackling some bosses without the dash was a nightmare (and just plain unfun). X2 has a much more uniformly balanced layout. You can pick any stage from the start and not screw yourself.
Less slowdown. X1 was nearly too fast for the SNES's anaemic CPU. X2 remedies this with an onboard enhancement chip. The slowdown's not extinct, but mitigated greatly.
Cons compared to X1:
Upgrades in the first game where acquired by simple puzzle solving or novel platforming challenges. In X2 they're cryptic bullshit.
The boss weapons suck. Replaying X1 is enjoyable because of the armament on offer. In X2 all the boss weapons are either worse than your default Mega Buster, or just flat out ineffectual.
The stage alteration mechanic of the first game is gone entirely. Another facet that made replaying X1 so fun.
The whole theme of growth and X unlocking his full potential worked harmoniously with collecting power-ups across the first game. In X2 the blue bomber inexplicably threw away all his upgrades from the previous game. Now you're collecting armour pieces, heart upgrades, ect... again without a strong narrative tie.
* It may be unreasonable to ask every X game to live up to the music of X1. X2's VGM is quite good, but pales in comparison.
Despite the game design being tighter in many ways, I find myself gravitating toward the first game more. The clogs along the way do knock X2 down a peg, but it's still a damn solid game. If you loved the first one, give this a try for sure.
Stage design has more flair this time around. X1 had some pretty killer level design itself, but you could tell a couple of the 8-main stages were phoned in. X2 rectifies that and then some.
Likewise the bosses are more interesting. Many have multiple phases or quirks. Kicking a robotic snail's shell away like a football so he can't use it is peak comedic action.
X1 vividly wanted you to play Icy Penguigo's stage first to get the dash upgrade. Tackling some bosses without the dash was a nightmare (and just plain unfun). X2 has a much more uniformly balanced layout. You can pick any stage from the start and not screw yourself.
Less slowdown. X1 was nearly too fast for the SNES's anaemic CPU. X2 remedies this with an onboard enhancement chip. The slowdown's not extinct, but mitigated greatly.
Cons compared to X1:
Upgrades in the first game where acquired by simple puzzle solving or novel platforming challenges. In X2 they're cryptic bullshit.
The boss weapons suck. Replaying X1 is enjoyable because of the armament on offer. In X2 all the boss weapons are either worse than your default Mega Buster, or just flat out ineffectual.
The stage alteration mechanic of the first game is gone entirely. Another facet that made replaying X1 so fun.
The whole theme of growth and X unlocking his full potential worked harmoniously with collecting power-ups across the first game. In X2 the blue bomber inexplicably threw away all his upgrades from the previous game. Now you're collecting armour pieces, heart upgrades, ect... again without a strong narrative tie.
* It may be unreasonable to ask every X game to live up to the music of X1. X2's VGM is quite good, but pales in comparison.
Despite the game design being tighter in many ways, I find myself gravitating toward the first game more. The clogs along the way do knock X2 down a peg, but it's still a damn solid game. If you loved the first one, give this a try for sure.