KOTOR2 is a great sequel and an improvement in all aspects over KOTOR. The story is more nuanced, better written, and more mature; it explores gray areas rather than the first game's clean-cut light/dark decisions. Also, Kreia is a real highlight, as she constantly challenges you throughout the game and tries to make you think critically about all the decisions you make. The rest of your companions are also more fleshed out, and some characters from the first title make a return. In general, the tone is much darker and bleak, as the Jedi Order is in ruins, and you, playing The Jedi Exile, are hunted by the Sith as one of the few remaining members of the Order. The villains are also a bit more ambiguous in their motivations, and their powers are somewhat more interesting than what you usually get. Plus, I feel the game is much more dialogue-focused than the first, with more time for introspection and fewer combat encounters, which for me is one of KOTOR2's strengths, as combat wasn't all that great in the original (also combat is not all that amazing in this one).

Gameplay-wise, there are more Force powers available, and there are lightsaber forms you learn throughout the game (giving you bonuses and penalties, but each form excels in certain situations, thus making fights more strategic). You can now craft upgrades for your weapons and armor based on your (or your party members') skills, and you can also break down items to create components, meaning it is useful to grab everything you find. Your dialogue options now influence your party members, they gain or lose influence based on your actions (high influence will make a companion's alignment match yours, low influence companions will have an alignment opposed to yours), plus the alignment will also unlock more story bits/background information from your companions. As a minus, the combat and the camera can feel clunky at times, as the game seems to not register all your commands properly.

The biggest downside to KOTOR2 is that the development was a bit rushed, with some cut content, and you'll need a mod (TSLRCM) to fully experience the game. You can download the mod here: https://deadlystream.com/files/file/578-tsl-restored-content-mod/. You can also find a list of everything it restores here: https://deadlystream.com/topic/139-whats-restored-in-tslrcm/ and you can decide if you want to install it or not (I feel the game's more enjoyable with the restored content).

Overall, KOTOR2 is my favorite Star Wars game, as the narrative's more thought-provoking, the game has more of a philosophical tone, and you feel your decisions have some weight behind them.

Before I start, KOTOR is better, I hold this opinion either because it is or because I played it religiously as a kid and have that nostalgia factor etc.

Kotor 2 is good however...

Feels like items are useless
Feels super vague
Progression doesn't feel good
Feels like a tank and spank game over an RPG

Now KOTOR 2 is a good game and I like it, but KOTOR is fundamentally better in all aspects, KOTOR is easier to understand and you have a clear goal where KOTOR 2 feels super vague/disconnected. It does good in story if you understand it, does have replay ability but KOTOR trumps it in every regard apart from the crafting/dialog options.

Kotor is more linear in sense, Kotor 2 feels very pieced together, you get thrown into being a JEDI already rather than learning you can be a JEDI, you can make party members JEDI too which is cool but ties into the replay ability, KOTOR you can play once/twice and fully understand but this game feels like you have to play it at least a few times to get it.

Medpac/stimpak is annoying, force buffs annoying, prestige class cool but impletation is ♥♥♥♥ to say the least. combat is the same yet you can force storm your way through, the combat styles cool idea but ♥♥♥♥ implementation.

Basically KOTOR 2 has good ideas but ♥♥♥♥ implementation. Could of been better than it was, I do know Obsidian was rushed and you should have the restoration mod before playing but overall the game feels like a bunch of good ideas mashed together and feels like an empty game. I will recommend however cause it is not bad, there is just so much potential that could of been but never was. KOTOR 2 7/10 KOTOR 10/10. However I played and completed KOTOR at least 30 times since I was a kid, I was born 1997 so the nostalgia is there. Great game, could of been better sad no KOTOR 3 and sadly we got SWTOR which is meh at best but not bad either.

Took me years to even play this but I am glad I did I am just sad that I see all the potential but no execution

INFLUENCE LOST: KREIA
INFLUENCE LOST: KREIA
INFLUENCE LOST: KREIA
INFLUENCE LOST: KREIA
INFLUENCE LOST: KREIA