PE is very easy to get into. The battle system is a breeze and if you're exceptional with it, you can really make it work for you, but even if you're not, that's ok too. It's real easy to get the hang of. I have no idea about PE2 though as I never played it. The battle system is just so fun because there aren't many RPGs out there as unique as it while still holding true to so many of the age old standards.
The storyline is pretty impressive for basically a one woman show (well, she has a partner, but he doesn't do much)...It's very enjoyable. It's very scientific and pretty engrossing as well. It's about this thing that takes control of mitochondria (man, does my spelling stink?) and all sorts of whakky spontaneous combustion and mutated crap happens...man, all this writing for it makes me want to play it...<insert another sad face here>