A very fast step up from D1 in terms of gameplay and general quality of life. The item world no longer has that issue of screwing you over randomly, new mechanics introduced will be seen throughout most the franchise going forward, and a post game that feels more in line with what to expect going forward. All these improvements have to have a downside, and it does: The cast of 2 just isn't the cast of 1.

I love D2's cast, Rozalin is one of my favourite characters in the series period, but Adell isn't as fun a protagonist as Laharal, the siblings aren't amazing standouts, Axel completely ruins the point I'm making I love Axel so much, and Etna being apart of the main cast feels like they realised this exact issue at some point. Also theres a frog.

2 is still a great entry in the series, but it felt like some steps forward came with some steps back, thankfully alot more steps was done in the right direction.