I understand the mixed reviews- I've been following this game for about 6 years since finishing 2064 and seeing its original teasers. With all that time, it is fairly short (took me close to 5 or 6 hours, really taking my time, compared to the 15-20 that 2064 took me) and hollow in comparison. Narrative choices aren't really important and change only minor aspects of the outcome, puzzles are too easy and follow a weird "association" logic rather than typical point & click item puzzles, recurring characters feel a lot like fan-service (although they worked for me) and the story seems feels rushed for the final chapter- whether that be a failure to properly build up to the ending that we did get, or the failure to use this ending as a plot point that pushes into something bigger/deeper.

With all that said- I still enjoyed it quite a bit. Both while I was playing the game and after finishing it, this game was just a constant dopamine rush for me after such a long wait. The art is an incredible step up from the first game, even though I loved the original's more simplistic style. I loved 2mello's OST for 2064, and the new soundtrack doesn't quite have the motif emphasis that I adored in 2064 (or a credits song with vocals), but it still sounds fantastic. There aren't as many memorable characters, but I think ES88 and Gate definitely stand up... others, like the Neurodiver, probably could've been great with more development. Overall, this feels like a much more episodic thing- a 2064 side story more than a sequel. It doesn't capture the vibes of the original, and yet it hits a much more "saturday morning cartoon" vibe that's great for completely different reasons, but still great nonetheless.

After finishing the game, I think it's still a good game and I can't help but still recommend it. At the very least, it was a good excuse to dive back into the same Read Only Memories world that I adore. Still, this game will always be overshadowed by its predecessor for how derivative it is (every memory dive relies on prior characters from 2064). While the ending will likely disappoint, the rest of the game is absolutely worthwhile, at least for fans of the first game.

Ultimately though, despite enjoying the game, it did not get close to making me feel the emotions that 2064 did. 2064 will always be a special game to me, and this one will simply be remembered as an extension of that, if at all. Still, if you want to think of the game as an extension of 2064, then I'd say it's a damn fine one- it's just not very good at being a sequel.

I understand the mixed reviews- I've been following this game for about 6 years since finishing 2064 and seeing its original teasers. With all that time, it is fairly short (took me close to 5 or 6 hours, really taking my time, compared to the 15-20 that 2064 took me) and hollow in comparison. Narrative choices aren't really important and change only minor aspects of the outcome, puzzles are too easy and follow a weird "association" logic rather than typical point & click item puzzles, recurring characters feel a lot like fan-service (although they worked for me) and the story seems feels rushed for the final chapter- whether that be a failure to properly build up to the ending that we did get, or the failure to use this ending as a plot point that pushes into something bigger/deeper. With all that said- I still enjoyed it quite a bit. Both while I was playing the game and after finishing it, this game was just a constant dopamine rush for me after such a long wait. The art is an incredible step up from the first game, even though I loved the original's more simplistic style. I loved 2mello's OST for 2064, and the new soundtrack doesn't quite have the motif emphasis that I adored in 2064 (or a credits song with vocals), but it still sounds fantastic. There aren't as many memorable characters, but I think ES88 and Gate definitely stand up... others, like the Neurodiver, probably could've been great with more development. Overall, this feels like a much more episodic thing- a 2064 side story more than a sequel. It doesn't capture the vibes of the original, and yet it hits a much more "saturday morning cartoon" vibe that's great for completely different reasons, but still great nonetheless. After finishing the game, I think it's still a good game and I can't help but still recommend it. At the very least, it was a good excuse to dive back into the same Read Only Memories world that I adore. Still, this game will always be overshadowed by its predecessor for how derivative it is (every memory dive relies on prior characters from 2064). While the ending will likely disappoint, the rest of the game is absolutely worthwhile, at least for fans of the first game. Ultimately though, despite enjoying the game, it did not get close to making me feel the emotions that 2064 did. 2064 will always be a special game to me, and this one will simply be remembered as an extension of that, if at all. Still, if you want to think of the game as an extension of 2064, then I'd say it's a damn fine one- it's just not very good at being a sequel.