In terms of crafting an immersive and unique world that looks and feels like a sleep-paralysis-induced hallucination of Steamboat Willie, this is genuinely leaps and bounds better than I expected from a developer of this scale. The art style is stunning, the atmosphere is top notch, and the way it grounds everything in cartoon logic while maintaining its sinister tone is impressive.

Annoyingly, everything within that world is much less inspired. Although its stealth sections aren't the worst in the world, the majority of the game focuses on nonsensical combat with no block or dodge mechanic despite enemies attacking relentlessly, puzzles that require little imagination to solve and mechanics that are never fully fleshed out enough to meet their potential.

I never played the first game, but from what I do know about the IP, the pivot to a more Bioshocky format is a smart fit for Bendy. I just can't help but think focusing purely on stealth gameplay would've been a smarter option considering its style of combat is counterintuitive to the atmosphere of the experience. I'd rather sneak around creepy ink demons than spend 30 seconds trading clunky melee blows with them until either they die or I crumple and respawn down the hallway with zero lost progress.