This is probably an objectively better game than the first one, but I do believe that the first one had more "soul" in it. The atmosphere was much more bleak, more mysterious. It was like everything had this "veil" of unknowns and metaphors. Like watching a painting that you would need to analyze in order to understand it beyond the surface.
As for the game per se, it's probably better: better movement, better and more straight forward progression/upgrades and itemization, bosses where up to par (second to last boss was memorable) and this time the last boss was fine, unlike in the first one.
The only thing I didn't like was the anime/animated cutscenes. I don't think the match the game, and I'd have preferred an static pixel image than these very out of place animations.
All in all, a gorgeous game that grips you with lavish art and tight gameplay.