Performance aside, for every huge leap forward the sequel takes in comparison to the original (better map, exploration, class tweaks, mechanic tweaks, physics system, pawn AI, quality of life), it takes like 2-3 steps back (less vocations and skills, worse movement, equipment system, quests, end game, music, characters, and story). Hideaki Itsuno is a great ideas guy and a great director and I'm glad to see his unadulterated vision finally realized after like 20 years, but he definitely needed someone to tell him, "Maybe a mechanic that will kill every NPC in a hub and potentially ruin a playthrough and no new game option is a bad idea."

Dark Arisen was better.