As far as the Deconstruction thing, that element was focused on the 'What measure is a fractured dimension?' angle. I imagine that deconstructing the entire Humanity-on-Trail aspect at the same time simply wouldn't work, not without derailing the story, or making it even worse Darkness-induced apathy (though that part is debatable).
Also, having Ludger be silent was, most likely, to prevent people from realizing he had the same voice actor as Victor - thus keeping the twist alive. After that, he's not so much one in NG+. I hardly found it jarring myself, being used to Link from Lo Z:TP
- "Also, if you disliked Mila or Alvin in the last game, you'll probably change your opinion here."
Why?
People disliked Mila for different reasons, so what makes you so sure they'll change their minds about her (or Alvin)?
"People disliked Milla for different reasons, so what makes you so sure they'll change their minds about her (or Alvin)?"
Well, for one thing, Alvin is legitimately trying not to be a chronic backstabber/liar anymore - it's by no means easy for him, and he suffers throughout it all, but he's definitely developed since the last game.
As for Milla, she's mostly the same, but she's much more considerate of feelings this time around (which means considerably less innocently insensitive remarks and the like)
But even with that, it's a general statement; we all know not everyone will agree
Above comment basically said everything I would have said. Alvin's character arc is probably one of the most well-done "reformed traitor" ones I've seen in a game. As for Mila, what you said is true, plus her voice acting is a LOT better. (And you can tell her VA is good because she makes Alt!Mila sound VERY different. Having Alt!Mila to contrast her to also game original Mila a bit more depth to her character by proxy, and original Mila being treated as an in-universe Replacement Scrappy by Elle was an interesting touch.)
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A sequel that does a lot of things right, but some wrong.
Again, I'll start with the negative to end on a positive note.
Xillia 2 stars Ludger, who, in a rarity for a Tales game, is a Heroic Mime. And I don't really feel that suits a series as character-driven as Tales. You do get a good enough feel for Ludger's character purely through his actions and dialogue choices... but the real jarring area is Skits. A Heroic Mime just REALLY sticks out like a sore thumb there, and makes most skits involving him feel really jarring. (There are occasionally funny dialogue choices though)
Second main flaw of the game, I feel, is the way it's divided into "chapters". In theory, giving the player dedicated "story time" and "sidequest time" works well, and warning the player when the story will move on is a good move. (to help avoid quests being Lost Forever) They just could have done it better, the whole "main chapter, debt grinding, main chapter, more grinding" structure results in the main plot feeling really disjointed and fragmented. Sometimes you can come back from a grind and think "wait, what was happening next again?"
The plot itself overall is good, if Darker and Edgier to the point of Darkness-Induced Audience Apathy sometimes. It doesn't have as many good twists as I've come to expect from a Tales Of game though, nor is there all that much Deconstruction: the whole Humanity on Trial thing is pretty much played as straight as they come.
But the game's Wham Episodes are very, very good, and a real highlight the game. It also fixes the major flaw in Xillia 1 by giving more focus to Elympios and its culture. But its real strength, I feel, is the Character Episodes. Think Social Links from Persona, but with gameplay, these are sidequests that add huge amounts of Character Development. The ones that involve fractured dimensions are particiulary good, using For Want of a Nail very creatively to show the development of the cast since the last game. Also, if you disliked Mila or Alvin in the last game, you'll probably change your opinion here.
The battle system adds a few new innovations, like physical "elements" to make party members more unique, and a Power Hit Chain mechanic that's much more intuitive than Graces', making combat feel fresh since Xillia 1 while still keeping the same feel. Overall worth checking out if you liked the original.