Wow, the new character designs look really good IMO (especially Etanity+Nemuno)
Music:
Stage 1 - Possibly my favorite Stage 1 theme since TD and SA, I like the beep in the background and the ZUNpets, of course.
Etanity - Pretty surprised because it sounds a lot more dramatic and melancholic than you would think of a Stage 1 boss. Awesome track.
Stage 2 - Can't put my finger on it, but it reminds me of another theme (probably from LOLK/DDC). Still, I like it very much.
Nemuno - This doesn't really sound like a stage 2 boss, reminds me more of Seija or the extra bosses, pretty intense.
Stage 3 + Komano - Nice themes, but I like the ones before more this time around
For such an (potentially) upbeat story, the themes sound pretty intense this time.
Unrelated to music, i looove how stage 3 feels, colors, enemies, patterns and everything.
So, are we really getting 16 shot types, or just 4 with the same 4 gimmicks to choose from?
what theme is the best so far??
Etanity, closely followed by stage 1 theme, though Nemuno's is pretty good too. Hell, all of the themes are pretty awesome this time.