>>16160182
Well I'll tell you what I've found other than what you've listed, 41 missions into hard mode.
>All difficulties higher than hard more are locked, and only a few missions on hard were difficult enough that I had to retry them a few times, though often it was because I was trying new strategies, or brought the wrong weapons. It isn't easy to the point of boredom, and I can definitely see why they locked away higher difficulties.
>Enemies straight up do less damage, but there are way more of them now. It is now viable to, as a Ranger, plow through armies of ants and hope for health pickups since you can tank more damage.
>Not only can all classes heal NPCs, but the Ranger can take special equipment that heals NPCs even more (and probably does other stuff at higher levels, I don't know).
>Instead of duplicate items getting you nothing, they can upgrade them.
>Air Raider gets three weapon slots and a vehicle. "Calling for support" items have been subdivided into artillery, bombers and gunships/lasers. The gunships and lasers reload automatically, giving you a (very fun) alternative to limpets. Think attack whale if it didn't need points to reload. Also mechs have been improved a shitload, in all areas.
>Ranger gets vehicles too now, as apart of the support equipment. Same as the Air Raider with two exceptions. He can't call in mechs, and bikes are exclusive to him.
>BIKES. The bikes are fucking amazing now. Vid related.
My favourite class used to be the Air Raider, but the bikes just take the cake. Thankfully they don't tip the balance of power/fun too much, and my preference is likely just the excitement/novelty of having a FUNCTIONAL BIKE.
>Fencer gets his 4 weapons like usual, but also two slots for support equipment, which are what let him dash like a madman. The chain dashing enhancements now make more weapon combinations viable in addition to just making him more fun.
>Wing Diver can swap out her energy core now, allowing her to focus her energy into different areas and improve its efficiency as you progress. She has a dodge too which is nice. They also fixed her character model, so now she's got polygons in all the right places.
In 41 missions, I've played one level with a sandstorm, and that went away after a few minutes. It was disappointing.