Sly 2 is quite a structural shift from the first game and it is impressive how well it pulls it off. Instead of the isolated levels from the previous game, you play in these small hubs with the goal of setting up and performing heists. The heists make it feel way more like a stealth game than the original and their presentation makes for a more fun adventure. Sly's two comrades being playable adds to the variety, for better and for worse.

Unfortunately, the hub and heist structure does lend itself to repetition as a lot of the same tasks are repeated ad nauseum. You are also going to like some of the hubs more than the others so it can be a drag when you're not enjoying one and you're stuck there for a while whereas in the first game, you could move on quickly from a bad level. Movement can sometimes be annoying in some of the hubs which can feel more egregious when playing as Murray or Bentley who have less traversal options. Having to go back to the safe house to switch characters can get tiresome too.

Overall, it is a very fun game and interesting sophomore outing for the franchise but it has a number of drawbacks that really take from the experience.