breaking the law breaking the law

TL;DR - the game is fun and you're a thief. Go nuts!

Pros.
-Somewhat challenging without being overbearing
-Huge payoffs are loads of fun
-Pickpocketing!
-Truck is an improvement over the hatchback
-Able to knock people out finally! ...Sorry Fido, but I didn't have treats...
-New radio songs are a genuine banger
-The hideout is a huge improvement compared to what we got last time
-Popping locks with a crowbar? Perfect.

Cons.
-We have the ability to knock people out but no combat, like in American Theft 80s. I understand game over because guy has a gun but a bat? Surely we can duck dive and counter with the crowbar or baton
-Oblivion lockpicking level 2 is back. Again American Theft 80s is brought up because the lock picking in that one felt far more authentic.
-Zero side activities besides beer. Disclaimer: side activities meaning things that don't involve being a thief. No racing jobs for instance.
-Marking tenants is a joke in some houses where they can see you through a window but you can't mark them.
-Pedestrians and drivers passing by ARE WAY TOO FAST TO DIAL 911. How the hell someone called 911 in one second after spotting me at the far end of a room through a SECOND STORY WINDOW? I'll never know.
-Missing stuff from the trailers like convoy looting and timed explosives. Unless those are in the heists I've not tried yet. My gut is telling me they've been withheld for Crime Simulator. Holding you to that one, Cookie!

Mixed.
-Jail was a very fun addition, but breaking out is a laughable bore. Wait for one guard to leave, sneak to a key (Which you never lose) and just leave. Missed opportunities as well by not having jail-break missions past the mandatory one in the story.
-Companion I never used. Honestly forgot she was even in the game until I wrote this review. Every other tool seemed necessary at some point but she got broken out of jail then I never heard from her again.
-New hideout may be shinier but the lack of personalization like we had in the first game kinda sucks. Oh, and the garage irks me to no end due to it being cramped and there being no way to actually get± a car in there when you consider physics, but that's a personal thing.
-Story is, once again, just there to give you an idea how to progress. You got a friend, a mystery man, and the big bad. Not expecting much from people you meet over the phone but it's ignorable as hell.
-Leveling as you go is alright, but kinda miss the xp on return to home, as randomly leveling up once I take a painting off the wall is different to completing your burglaries or jobs - reward for a job not finished, if that makes sense. However, I fully approve of selling your loot to pawn shops being a risk where if the cops nab you, the cash is confiscated.

I would recommend if you want to get killed by the Devil in one of the heists. and he is SCARY... Okay, back to the review. I would recommend if you want to be a criminal (in game) there is cool new missions, heists and houses, that you can rob. Here is a list of all of the tools: Crowbar, Binoculars, Hacking Laptop, Sleeping Gas, Respirator (for sleeping gas), Blowtorch, Baton, Car Signal Hijacker, Dog Meat, Tranquilizer Gun, Noisy Walkie Talky, Cloak Device. There is skills you can upgrade, and new Cars. And a fantastic sequel. It improves on the last thief simulator in absolutely every way. The neighbourhoods and houses are well crafted, there are secrets throughout the maps in the form of holes in the ground, safes hidden within grassy areas, and abandoned vans. The thieving mechanics are excellent, THE GAME IS JUST GREAT OKAY? Best indie game that released in 2023, hands down, go play it!