So, it took me 33.9 hrs to beat this game. First two hours felt like heaven, it also required no patches to run smoothly (unless you're a widescreen user), which is a nice little bonus compared to the first game.
But first chapter took 9.4 hrs to farm xp and grind these AWFUL wargs (they, however, became little nuisances since I've mastered 1h weapons later), and for some reason humanoid enemies like orcs, goblins, skeletons and bandits felt several times easier than abovementioned wargs and other "monster"-type hostiles, probably because you can parry them.
The soundtrack is perfect, just like the first game, maybe even better. Locations are alright, but I really hate the Khorinis and its stupid forests where apparently molerats, giant rats, bloodflies and elite orcs can peacefully coexist together for some reason. There were some scripted encounters where a pack of wolf attacked scavengers, but not much else.
Maybe it's just me, but game reuses assets in a weird manner. For an instance, shadowbeasts now drop lizard skin, lizards drop nothing, wargs drop snapper skins, snappers drop nothing, also I'm pretty sure that militia are just reskinned Old Camp guards, and mercs are New Camp thieves for some reason. Paladin armor looks quite cool, though. Characters from the first game that are present in sequel are still good, while newcomers lack any reason to enjoy them.
Factions are pretty clueless to me. Nothing important ever happens to them, maybe aside from some rather nice smith being imprisoned . They are quite distinguished by quests, available trainers, magic availability and armor.
Also, the sequel just feels harder, compared to the first one. There are less trainers and they are less effective, 90% of gathered loot are Rusty Swords and other useless dump that is not even worth selling. Aside from the large forest present on the first map, there are some caves, many of which are quite cool, but some are just not balanced properly (why is there a shadowbeast guarding a goblin cave? alas, that doesn't make sense...)
AI is pleasurable to fight against, but in large numbers it becomes dumb, as enemies begin to block each other or even push themselves from the ledge which is fun but is a subject to abuse. I kinda wish there were less enemies but they would be stronger.
Plot is pretty much the same as Gothic 1 The ship and available crew is probably one of the best game design choices ever, it's basically Mass Effect 2 before Mass Effect 2. Protagonist also just follows Xardas for some reason. What for? You're free, man. Just board the ship and get out!
Overall, it's a great, enjoyable sequel, but be ready to suffer and grind a little. It still clunky but at least the interface is more bearable now.

easily one of the best games ever made

(Old) Bethesda quality Eurojank