I like both games, but The Evil Within 2 felt more satisfying to me. I started out on Nightmare mode and was constantly tense my first playthrough. The best parts of RE7 were, in my opinion, in the first half of the game. With The Evil Within 2, I felt a connection to Sebastian (being a fan of the first game), and was very satisfied to see his journey reach a closure point.

Man this is so tough, both games have seriously been a highlight for me this gen.

I'd say on a technical front RE7 is better than TEW2, but if I could only replay one I'd pick TEW2.

I just liked the semi open-world areas, the variety of enemies/creature designs, and the classic boss battles. You also get more weapons. I also like the whole optional side missions you can do as well as the whole messing with your mind aspect in the game to be a lot of fun and it's a pretty beefy game.

That being said there's some serious jank I've ran into within the TEW2 whereas RE7 is super polished.

Let's be real though both are fantastic games so just because I side with the TEW2 it doesn't mean I don't think RE7 is absolutely wonderful.

Both games had pros and cons. RE7 was more intense and original, but shorter. EW2 was longer, had some cool open-world ideas, but kind of became a slog with all of the mundane backtracking in the 2nd half of the game. Both games lacked in enemy variety (RE7 was basically molded, aside from boss encounters, EW2 was basically those zombie-esque enemies with reskins throughout), and both games had some pretty stupid dialogue and uninteresting protagonists (all Ethan did was curse, lacked any real personality).

Edit: Also, EW2's forced sneaking scenarios with the ice queen were tedious, and not fun.

All in all, good year for survival horror.

I am very close to finishing up The Evil Within 2 on Nightmare but I think I can make a good judgement. Both games were incredibly well done, while also having some short comings as well.

TEW 2 is a massive improvement from the first game by actually adding a stealth system that works compared to the first game. The combat otherwise is mostly the same, but with an added cover system which helps tremendously. The story is also so much better too. It still has some of the B-movie dialogue, but it definitely feels toned down a bit in TEW 2. I felt more sympathy for Sebastian in the first 5 minutes then I did with him in the entire campaign of the first game. It just flows so much better. The only thing I think the first game did better was have more diversity of levels. But it makes sense considering the world was constantly shifting and it was gritty as hell. Union feels much more grounded and real, but it still has that evil within vibe. The first game felt more like an action/horror title while TEW 2 feels more like a survival/horror (which is a a huge plus).

RE7 managed to have a great story with interesting characters right up to the end. There were no Michael Bay moments like how it was in 5 or 6 which is a huge plus. The combat shifted to first-person, but I think that's what kept it kinda fresh and unique for RE. Each of the bosses had a meaningful reason behind it and felt so satisfying once they were defeated. I never thought having a boss fight in a garage with a car could be so amazing for a horror title. Bringing back the item management inventory definitely made things intense and didn't make you feel overpowered like past games as well. The game felt very consistent to the end. The main downfall for me is that it was rather a bit short, but I rather have this then Michael Bay RE games.

Overall both games are fantastic to me, but honestly I think I have to go with TEW 2 being a better game, but just slightly, and that due to NewGame+ and classic mode. There are also a crap ton of hidden loot everywhere. It also has a longer campaign and includes a stealth system which diversifies the gameplay. But RE7 isn't far behind, but like I said, in terms of replay-ability and everything, TEW 2 just inches ahead of RE7. I still highly recommend both games though.

Not far enough into EW2, so can’t say much. RE 7 I absolutely adore, except the DLC - just uninteresting stuff.

RE7 was a garbage RE game, but a decent game in general.

TEW2 was what I expected. Decent, but hardly earth shattering.

Which did it better? Meh.... neither really.

Re7 was a decent game. But I felt towards the game over stayed it's welcome.
The boat section was really boring. I just wanted it over and done with.

The rest of the game was a cool change to the formula. Doubt I'd go back to a re4 style game.