A major improvement over the first game in almost every way, although in my opinion the grapple feels much less like a core part of the gameplay and more tacked on as if it was a grappling hook mechanic in any game, which is disappointing. The tweaks made in this game make it feel less “Grapple Dog” to me in a way that made me want to go back and play the original at some points. Admittedly this may just be a byproduct of playing the first game too much though. GD2 is more so defined by player movement and powerups, whereas GD1 focused more on stage gimmicks and hazards. I think my heart still leans towards the first game, but I cannot deny that this is a nearly perfect sequel.

Before it released I was somewhat worried that the addition of shooting could have been unnecessary tweaking to what to me felt like an already perfectly crafted grappling mechanic but what it did is divide the game into two similar but brilliantly unique ways of exploring Joseph Gribbin's fun and fluid level designs. And as lighthearted and silly as Pablo's little world is the story offers a surprisingly tense take on the "multiverse" concept that doesn't feel played out or derivative of something else. Amazing game and a legit GOTY contender imo.