ToI 1 feels more like a proof of concept. In that it is the same game but less ambitious, less complex, more of an early testing out of ideas and gameplay mechanics. But where ToI1 shined was that it was a simple and straight forward game that did what it intended very efficiently. Sure, there was some filler but in such a short game, it wasn't unwelcome if you were enjoying the game anyway.

Here in ToI2, there is an expansion of the mechanics, adding more variables to the equipment, more moves to the combat, and so so many more side quests. to the extent that now the story rather than getting distracted, gets entirely sidelined for other things. The bulk of the game is now running errands and eventually wandering back into the story. The side quests still have stories and dialogue and they are cute in their way even if they repeat the same themes over and over. Boss fights now in an attempt to be more complex, take place across the map as bosses flee and have to be hunted down in a bad imitation of monster hunter.

The complexities bring issues. where the first game was a polished and well running machine, this game is occasionally a mess. With the janky hit boxes and awkward prompts to interact being out of synch. occasionally the spoken narration and the text do not match and it is obvious it was recorded with mistakes and an earlier draft. All of this seems fixable, but instead it has been left like this. There is a bloat of equipment items, much much more than serves any purpose. where the first game rewarded them for exploration or boss fight wins, this game does that but also peppers them throughout merchants and crafting tables. You can, with no indication, purchase or craft multiples of the same equipment for no reason and to no purpose with no warning as to if you already have an item. This too seems like it could easily have been fixed. This game was made in haste and left alone like this.

For all my issues, it's fun. It's the same kind of fun as the first game. some parts are very lovingly crafted. the backgrounds and animations are spectacular. If you enjoyed the first game and wanted more of it, this is more of it. it's only somewhat different. it feels more like a second bite of the same fruit. in some ways better in some ways worse. I do sincerely hope for a third game in this series (that is well play tested and fixed)