I think the game does look a little better, slightly sharper, more animations. When I got my mini, I started playing PVZ 1 again, so I can easily compare now that I've started 2. I think it looks great.
The drawback of course is the pay model, which is @$$. Like I said I was playing PVZ 1 again, so I've been acquiring all my new plants again as I progress. While I don't know yet, if you still acquire ALL plants while you progress as in 1, I did get the cabbage catapults for 2. So not sure if you're paying to get some plants earlier then they want you to, or if they are charging for what they thought are the favorite plants of players as a crappy money grab.
The coins are a bit a confusing as they give them to you along with gems, but there are no rakes, bacon, or whatever to buy. Yet you can buy plants, and slots with real cash. Giving it a definite pay to win feel as you progress.
Also thought it was interesting that if you go to buy something, the game does stress that anything you buy goes to ALL accounts associated with your game. So despite EA saying don't buy anything yet, and launching the game in AUS, maybe they are hoping there's a few suckers who got the the game early. Seeing if the things they have at current prices are acceptable, of if they need to rethink a thing or two.
I'm thinking they need to rethink a thing or two, or three, or four...