There are a few elements of HD2 that are rough compared to HD1, so I'm still wondering which game is better overall.
Upgraded from HD1 to HD2:
-Graphics. Duh.
-Independence. The first game had all players (up to 4) share one screen, and screen pulling was always an issue. This doesn't happen now with the third person view.
-Resupply strats being free.
-Enemy difficulty is MASSIVELY increased in HD2.
-Mission variety in HD2 is grander than HD1.
-Crouching and ADS weren't a thing in HD1, and they've helped tremendously.
-Having a laser sight not take up a Modifier slot is awesome.
-All unlockables being available to all players rather than as paid DLC packs. (This changed in HD1 toward the end of its main lifespan, but there were some very real divides earlier on.)
-Player customization is beautiful in HD2, even if it's the same options (Armor, Helmet, Cape) as in HD1. This is where the third person switch from isometric really shines.
Downgraded from HD1 to HD2:
-Flipside of the Resupply strat being free to all players is that the countdown is shared, whereas it was unique to the player in HD1.
-Unlocking weapons/stratagems/armors using Medals is a fine system, but HD1 had them locked behind operations on randomized planets. It felt better to complete a string of missions in an operation to unlock the Strat/Weapon you wanted rather than grinding it out and hoping a host player won't kick you at extract for no reason.
-Primary weapon variety is lacking in HD2 compared to HD1, but that's due to the 1-2 punch of the game just being launched and some of the HD1 primaries being set as strat call downs in HD2.
-Limiting the usage of certain air strike stratagems (looking directly at Napalm) hampers their effectiveness. I'd regularly run a load out of Resupply/Shield/Napalm x2 in HD1 (Stalwart as primary) and cross the fire to form a chokepoint and a kill zone, so it's a little bit of a letdown for this to not be a viable option in HD2.
-Jury's out on the ping wheel reaction/call outs, personally. I thought these were better utilized with the d-pad in HD1 (up is affirmative, right is move, down is no, left is wait/stop), but I also get how this wouldn't be an option with the current control features.
-I like being able to use the mini-map while actively moving, but HD1 had the option of displaying the map on the entire screen for you to look at, and that helped immensely when doing a mission with multiple objectives.
I'm looking forward to when vehicles are added to the fray, especially whatever exo suits are introduced. Going full ExoSquad in third person is going to be hilarious.
