My Cute Roommate 2 (0.5 version) is a step up in many directions with regards to the first one, but not in all. The bad is the story, this one is way more outlandish and makes even less sense than the first, and isn't written any better. The small tie-ins with the first would be nicer if I cared about those girls but I didn't, and now the second one is not making a better job creating build up and tension. But the sandbox part seems to have been simplified which is nice, making it easier to navigate and find what to do but grinding has come into this version with a terrible minigame and it's a very bad sign.
The big step up is in the production. Character models are very good this time, much improved with regards to the first game. Animations are also way better, even though sex scenes are still just "stick in. fuck, cum", nothing more. Music and sound effects are nice, but not incredible. As for bugs, like in the first, they are present and important, I actually had to restart the game because the map wouldn't show up to one point; now it's not a drama, but it brings back bad memories from the first game.
So, I didn't want to rule this one out when I played version 0.3 but now on 0.5 seems like the evolution is going in the wrong direction. And the introduction of the dick character is just down stupid.