For the most part an improvement on the first. It still has the first game’s weapon level grinding and cyber elf system, but they’ve been streamlined this time around, so they’re far more manageable. Only real downstep is how the level design chooses to double down on cheap enemy placements and instakill hazards, the whole Polar Kamrous stage can get bent. And I’ll admit I’m kind of terrible with the grappling hook. But with the return of a proper continue system like in Mega Man games of the past, it isn’t quite as unforgiving as it was before.