I don't keep myself connected to XBL, because the cable would have to cross the living room, or I'd have to buy an adapter for it, but it's good to have a goal.
Played through the first time on Hard, so the difficulty thing was still there. Great game in it's own right, and the retro-storytelling is just as it was. The soundtrack/SFX could've been tweaked a little more, I think, but the stylistic differences in the sounds aren't really appealing to me, so I just call it good for where they went with it.
I do kinda like the separation of the sword and the projectile, but it annoys me that the sword is no longer magic (I know, it's to make the Shmup parts work like they want, but still, continuity... and yes, you're a geek to if you're reading this, so stfu)
Regardless of the little nitpicks, this game blurs the line between retro and modern gaming in ways that make me smile.
If only SEGA's S4 was what this is to RKA/Sparkster... *sigh*