This review is based on a review copy played on both PC and Steam Deck.

(In-depth analysis below)
Princess Maker 2 Regeneration is an enjoyable and relaxing yet challenging daughter-raising simulator remaster featuring various quality-of-life improvements, systems, and activities with plenty of replayability, an astonishing soundtrack, and Gainax's signature visual style. While I recommend this version of the game, if the quality-of-life improvements aren't essential for you, Princess Maker 2 Refine is half the price and essentially the same game with more quirks and a worse translation. Otherwise, wait for a sale.

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In a medieval fantasy world, you, a wandering knight, discover a kingdom under siege by a demon army led by the Prince of Darkness, sent by the Heavens to punish the city for its sins. Determined to save the kingdom, you take up the mantle of its defender and force the evil horde back into the underworld, and for your bravery, a god grants you a heavenly gift: a daughter to raise. You must guide her from age ten to eighteen, shaping her into a successful and happy adult. Will she achieve her dream of becoming a princess, or will she be doomed to a life of hardship and regret, shaped by your every decision? The path she takes rests in your hands, whether she will become a peasant innkeeper, run away out of spite and fall to a life of debauchery, or attain a prestigious title and life.

As with most games in the Princess Maker series, the story primarily serves as an overarching setting that provides context for the gameplay. The real narrative unfolds as you raise your daughter, in a unique setting.

Core Mechanics
At its core, the gameplay revolves around scheduling monthly activities such as education, jobs, adventuring, and time off. Education enhances your daughter's skills and attributes like intelligence, strength, faith, beauty, and more, while jobs help her earn money and practical experience. You'll quickly figure out whether the gameplay is for you as the gameplay largely remains the same throughout for better or worse; personally, I found it very endearing.

Managing her health and stress levels is crucial to prevent negative consequences, such as falling ill, running away, or, even worse, having her life take a downward spiral. Between scheduling activities, you can visit the city to purchase various goods to relieve stress, seek medical attention at the clinic, or visit the palace to improve her reputation and gain favor, leading her one step closer to becoming a princess.
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One of the most important events occurs once a year, offering you the option to sign up for one of four tournaments, depending on the direction your daughter is taking. Participating in these tournaments can earn her vital rewards in your journey. All in all, it combines time management, strategy, simulation, and most importantly fun, requiring careful planning to achieve your desired outcome for your daughter. This process can be stressful, peaceful, or sometimes tedious. However, the journey is rewarding nonetheless.

That's without mentioning the classic JRPG element of the Princess Maker franchise, where your daughter adventures out into the world, gaining experience and money by fighting monsters while searching for treasures. https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3301001041
From woodlands to mountain areas, you've got a fair few locations to pick from, and although none of these are too large or unique, considering the context of a daughter-raising simulator, errantry feels incredibly refreshing, especially when the usual scheduling feels a tad monotonous, the variety keeps it engaging. Each playthrough takes roughly seven hours depending on what you're trying to achieve, and as there are plenty of secrets to discover, ensures that you will likely want to return for multiple playthroughs to uncover more.

As mentioned in the overview, PM2 Regeneration focuses on quality-of-life improvements without altering the core mechanics. While these improvements are welcome, they may not justify the higher price for everyone. If you are mainly interested in the gameplay mechanics, the cost might not be worth it. The most notable difference is that Regeneration has a competent English localization, unlike the previous remaster, Refine. While Refine is still playable and understandable, it has occasional awkward English.
Consider the differences between these versions before purchasing, as you will get a comparable experience for less if you don't care for the quality-of-life changes. Regeneration is the best version of Princess Maker 2 available on Steam, price point aside, but by no means is it a replacement for Refine.

Visuals
Overall the updated graphics and aesthetics showcase the excellent Gainax signature style well, meticulously redone by Takami Akai himself.
However, the visuals are inconsistent, fluctuating between retro and modern styles, creating a conflicting visual experience. While the new illustrations are appreciated, and the old art is still great, the transition between old and new can be jarring due to the fidelity shifts and whatnot.
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Audio
The OST perfectly captures the setting’s essence, adding nostalgic charm alongside new scores. Each track has a specific role, enhancing moments like seasonal changes, studying, working, and adventuring. The diverse melodies have a timeless quality and are a standout feature. The voice acting is also delightful, with each character sounding authentic and unique. Do note that there's only Japanese voice acting, and some lines can become repetitive as you perform the same tasks each month.