When you make a sequel to a game, the formula is expected to change, but the key elements that hooked players of the original will remain intact. With Girls Frontline 2: Exilum, it's safe to say that despite the changes to the core gameplay, it's a worthy follow-up to the original.

A bit of background. The first Girls Frontline was a mobile "gacha" 2D tactical RPG. Using the premise of female combat androids named after (and wielding) various real-world firearms and an intense science fiction plot, it wove an intricate tale of war and drama, mated to elements of a raising simulation. "Gacha" refers to the style of acquiring upgrades, costumes, and other items. Much like real-world Japanese machines of the same name that have a chance-based system of dispensing prizes of variable rarity, Girls Frontline allowed the use of in-game currency and use of real-world money to acquire items based on a gambling-style chance system. It was generally fair on free players, though the chance-based elements would allow those who invested actual money and time to acquire both cosmetics and certain rare upgrades very hard to acquire during free play. As someone who long enjoyed the original mostly as a free player with some infrequent real-world purchases, I found it was not overly difficult to enjoy as a free player.

The story is set ten years after the first Girls Frontline. The android and robot rebellions of the past are now firmly in the past. You play as a former commander of the now-defunct Griffin and Kruyger (G&K) private military corporation. Despite the governments of the world having joined forces to restore the world now wracked by a recurring threat to human life called Collapse Radiation, there are still brigands, remnants of rogue military forces, and other threats that require officially licensed forces to augment world security and protect innocents. Now leading many former members of G&K as well as many newcomers, you find yourself embroiled in another massive conspiracy that could hold the fate of the world in the balance.

Girls Frontline 2 is also a tactical RPG like the previous title, but it's a 3D-based, isometric tactical RPG this time. Proceeding through a series of campaign levels in a tactical squad RPG fashion, you command various forces to take down threats to advance. In between missions, your forces gather at a mobile carrier that serves as your base and allows you to augment your forces, give them gifts as rewards for well-done work, and generally plan your next move. As an online title like the last game, it also has social elements. Other commanders can chat with each other, provide squads to support other players and compete in leaderboards in certain events.

A few more changes should be noted from the first game. The female androids are mostly referred to by actual names instead of the weapon-based codenames they used to have, though some have retained them and some are referenced as callbacks to the first game. Weapons are not locked to the characters aside from whatever class of weapon they specialize in, so any sniper rifle user can use any sniper rifle they have instead of being locked to a certain model for example. There are now users of blades and bows on top of various firearms. The original classes of characters like Assault Rifles, Snipers, Pistols, Shotguns, and SMGs return, but with some changes to accommodate the shift to 3D. Finally, while this starts out somewhat easy, it quickly gets challenging, with many levels requiring critical thinking to effectively use terrain, interactive objects, and other battlefield elements to achieve victory.

Graphically, this uses a cel-shaded anime look in 3D graphics. Colors tend toward the bright and flashy in the built-up civilized areas and the dusty and gritty in the wastelands. In the actual playable game levels, they take place using a grid-based map style, with characters being smoothly animated as they choose certain actions, duck behind cover, and other abilities and moves. The story presentation vary between static visual novels style and some fully 3D animated cutscenes for certain story scenes.

The music retains the use of electronic synth, rock, and gothic choir elements. A recurring musical motif borrowed from Bulgarian folk music is a mix of futuristic tunes infused with an ambient choir, lending well to the cyberpunk and futuristic feel of the setting. Many of the soundtracks have an epic majesty to them, and I confess to just letting the game be for awhile to just soak in the music, as it's generally an aural treat. Sound effects are crisp, especially in combat, with convincing-sounding blades, gunshots, and explosions. The game has support for Chinese, Japanese, or Korean voiceovers, though the text is fully translated into English and there are subtitles for all voiced conversations.

While the first game was a mobile title on portable devices and tablets, this title is also available for play on Windows. This is quite playable with keyboard and mouse on PC devices. There are extensive tutorials in-game and I found I was able to get myself used to the controls in very short order. It may take a bit of getting used to the interface, as the option to exit the game is buried in the settings menu, but everything else is generally well-marked and explained.

Stability is excellent. The system requirements are fairly modest and provided the player has a good internet connection, there are no latency issues. It's rather playable on Linux with Steam Proton, but Steam Deck support is rather poor, as some players can get the game to boot, but not proceed past the login screen.

Morally, much like the first game, this has some issues. This title is rated Mature compared to the rather Teen rating of the prior Girls Frontline.

Violence takes place in a tactical RPG "give orders and watch it happen" context. There are also cutscenes depicting intense violence with various bladed, ballistic, and explosive weapons. There are some with displays of blood in a few cutscenes. The player is an officially licensed member of a private military corporation (termed bounty hunters in-game). They work freelance instead of with a formalized PMC as a subordinate officer. Regardless, they still conduct themselves as ethically as possible, with their actions and that of their subordinates conforming to the laws and customs of war. While most enemies include military machines (both robot and android), some include human forces and monsters called ELIDs.

Language is generally Teen-level, with every single profanity in that vein heard at some point like s*** and b***h, with a rare f**k every now and then. Given the focus, there aren't too many sexual comments or crude innuendos. However, there are some racy and revealing alternate costumes that can be unlocked for the female characters. Some of the regular outfits are even skin-tight or somewhat revealing.

Much like the first Girls Frontline, this is set in a firm science fiction universe, of the cyberpunk dystopia variety with some elements of post-apocalyptic. There is a hard focus on politics and military topics, supernatural and otherworldly elements are barely in evidence. One character mentions another is a fan of fortunetelling, though this is considered a joke. There is a science fiction variation of zombies called ELID, caused by radiation emitted by a source confirmed extraterrestrial. This includes mutated humans and animals, though the latter are generally the ones encountered in combat. An enemy faction from the first game returns, having taken on aspects of a cult in it's current incarnation, with pseudo-religious dialogue to match, though their means to achieve their ends is still rooted in science fictional means.

Morally, this is set in a grim post-apocalyptic universe. There are androids known as Dolls, though they are generally not subject to any particular form of discrimination. They are frequently employed by both civilians and military users. There does not appear to be any particular persecution or discrimination, aside from the understandable wariness of military-grade androids going rogue, as they did in the backstory stemming from the first game. There is a gambling element due to the game featuring a gacha-style system for acquiring upgrades and units, both with in-game currency and purchased with real-world money if the player chooses. Mentions of drinking are frequent and there are sparse depictions of smoking.

Overall, Girls Frontline 2: Exilum is a solid tactical RPG and a worthy follow-up to the first Girls Frontline. Technically, it's very well put together and somewhat challenging but not unreasonably so. Morally, this is not fit for anyone save mature audiences given the subject matter. Overall, it is highly recommended as a free-to-play game. If you loved the first Girls Frontline or just love tactical RPGs in general, then I very highly recommend getting this title.