Last bit of this game was a slog but I finally beat it. Definitely a lot of the same gripes that came with other early more open worldy games of that era. Poor mission checkpoints, overabundance of mini games and lack of mobility when forced to play Bentley or Murray really detracted from the game. Story felt messy. Very disappointed with this title that I had remembered quite fondly from childhood. Granted I don't think I got past Chapter 2 back in those days, I think I spent the majority of my time trying to pickpocket bad guys. Ah, to be a kid again.

Some of the mid to later levels are a bit better laid out. Missions still tend to be unnecessarily long and simple. Like OK I've got to pickpocket a key to get into this place. But why does it gotta be six keys in entirely different sides of the map from each other for one door. Or like ok we've gotta get some blueprints....oh no I've got to get 3 sets of blueprints in three different cabins. Been playing through it on and off with my niece, she's been getting pretty good but there's quite a few difficulty spikes mainly in the minigames that she can't get through. Played all afternoon and went from 58% to 72% completion... this game is long.

I was going in full steam ahead but this one is a bit of a slog so far. No real challenge, just tedium. I shall persist though.

While the first game was a thoroughly fun romp, and had tons-o-fun with its nods to the Metal Gear Solid franchise, the second entry was where the series officially entered contention for 'greatest-3D-platformer-of-its-generation.' The variation of strategy needed for each locale, the character-specific sub-missions, and the finely-tuned-gameplay all worked seamlessly together to craft one of the funnest titles ever released.

Sly 2 switches from the clean linear level designs of the first to having more open world levels with mission sections. It does slow the game down some, as does adding more playable characters who aren't as fun to use as Sly, but the gameplay is still pretty good. Stealth is actually more important in this game, as groups can gang up on you if caught. Still, a great world to explore and the level designs tend to get better further into the game. I have to also note the the writing is funnier than the first game, as well as characters being better developed. You'll grow attached to the entire cast by the end of the game.