This one definitely focuses more on the platforming than the first game, which is great, since the platforming is so smooth. That does mean you die more often, but that's also why there are more checkpoints and faster respawning. Mixing the forest and the temple adds a lot of visual variety that was lacking in the first game. And there's hints of a bigger story in play as well, without being shoved in your face. It's a huge improvement from the first game, in my eyes.