Distress call received:
...
Research satellite has come under attack. Rather than risk our military project falling into the wrong hands, we have executed Process 0 eliminating all occupants.
...
With the station automata failing and organic matter weaponized there is nobody to save.
...
We rather ask that you eliminate those who have come here, and return our prototype bioweapons to the proper authorities, under article 36-C of the Galactic Border Treaty.

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If you use IBJ, you are sequence breaking, and might get yourself some place before you are prepared with proper equipment; the game will let you do this and should not end up in a softlock as a result. But think twice before using IBJ!

The map is very open - feel free to stick to easier areas on several maps, then go back once you have some upgrades to harder areas. You won't be forced to do much movement through damage tiles (though the game will let you if you insist, so if there's an environmental hazard, think twice before going directly through it). It is likely hard to totally avoid the toxic clouds on a first playthrough but you shouldn't be wading through it unprepared.

Hack difficulty is listed as unknown for the following reasons:
- you will benefit from experience with the original
- damage has been reduced a lot
- drops are more frequent and restore more health/ammo
- no missile rechargers away from gunship
- missile expansion tanks refill missiles
- the game world is smaller but not linear
- new upgrades have been added
- beams behave differently
- some new items have been added
- some custom art and enemy behavior
- one of the 4 areas is an entirely new layout
- pausing loads a map showing item locations and game info
- collected beams can be swapped (when paused, press missile toggle to cycle through them)
- anytime you eliminate a game target, the screen shakes to let you know

There are a lot of customizations, enjoy!