From a vanilla YKW2 perspective, it improves and runs circles around the first game (not that it was bad or anything), to the point where the first game kinda becomes redundant to play, especially after playing this game.

All the new things this game adds, from the Model Zero watch to the Wicked Tribe, they evolve the concept not by a lot, but just enough to become it's own separate beast.

The story is also pretty great. Quests are now more substantial and play a bigger role, shoutouts to the Jibanyan's Secret quest in particular. The villain, Dame Dedtime, is properly introduced at an appropriate point within the middle of the story unlike McKracken who was introduced near the end.

However, this doesn't mean there are problems, as there are.

The Crank-a-Kai is back, and with it, the bullshit RNG came back too. This is especially a problem with the all new Oni Crank introduced in this game, as a lot of evolutions from the first game are locked through this method.

Also like the first game, some Yo-kai designs are hit-or-miss. Some, like a majority of the Classic Yo-kai, the shrunken down Befriend-able Bosses, and Gutsy Bones's lineage all look fantastic. But there are also designs that aren't as good, such as Robbinyu or Snobetty. There's less duds, but that doesn't mean they don't exist.

Lastly, the dual-release format. Why? Wouldn't it be better to just release the game as one instead?

Overall, I'd recommend this game without hesitation, but I would advise to be cautious, especially with the dual release format.