Played this game without playing the first game in the series, and as good as that was, this is a marked improvement.
Writing: I think the first thing to say is that this is well-written without any other qualification, not 'well-written for a game' or 'ugh, at least it didn't distract me from the porn.' So that's cool. The only real critique in that domain is the suspension of disbelief that everyone you spend any time talking to is rich/skilled/smart/otherwise special, which really isn't that jarring all things considered. It's certainly the best bit of ero-game writing I've come across. If you're absolutely against all things moody, this may not be for you, but it also clearly has an optimistic bent to it.
Characters: They're believable and well-rounded in ways that sometimes defy expectations. The PC, for instance, is a bit of a twist on the classic "porn meathead" protagonist in that while he doesn't think of himself as being much more, it's clear that he does actually care about the people around him. Always appreciate not playing a psychopath. Personally, the LIs appeal to my tastes both aesthetically and in terms of personality, although Serena is pretty easily the weakest and least developed of the bunch.
Visuals: about as polished as it gets. The lighting in particular is what separates it from The Author, which wasn't exactly a slouch itself.
Pace: It's a bit of a slow burn, but for once it doesn't seem to be due to a complete lack of ability to edit. The strength of the writing in general definitely helps here, as it doesn't feel like it's dragging. If that factors in less for you, you may have a more difficult time with this one though.
Hotness: It's a little bit hard to say at this point, but what there is is pretty well done, although it's missing the tenderness and intimacy that comes from more developed character interplay. I thought The Author was pretty hot though, so benefit of the doubt to the dev.