I feel really conflicted on this one. For everything it improves over the first, something cancels it out. It's a better controlling, better structured game but one that never feels as fresh as the OG, whether that be the levels, story beats or anything else. Also, the music is a downgrade in every way and that's something that really made the 1st game stand out to me, so it's kinda a shame on the downgrade.

All in all, this is the better game to play but Ape Escape 1 is the more unique experience of the two, so in the fabled "gun to head" situation, that game would probably be my pick even despite the improvements on offer here.