I really like how the game changes it up on you like that.

Nothing story related to the other ones has hampered me. Missions are all replayable, with full cutscenes where they are. If you want an excellent mech customization + arena + objectives in bite-size chunks with really great boss fights, you won’t regret it. It works fully on the Steam Deck too, which is great for quick breaks from work.

I ended up using the quad legs, with two songbirds the starting pulse blade, and a bazooka. Topped off with a pulse armor extension.

Ended up taking a few tries, but with floating above the first phase and keeping it staggered, until the second phase it worked out really well.