History YMMV / GrazeCounter

*** Type-B is the NEXALTS from ''Grand Cross Renovation'', which has its Break Mode fire a thin laser that not only lasts for a long time, can be aimed and swung across the screen with ease, but also cancels bullets and lasers alike! No need to dodge bullets when you're essentially '''nigh-invincible'''. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83PMGndghoE Observe.]]

** Like a Flash Breeze ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4aafiy2UZI Original]] / [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggExS3nbyUA GM Version]]), Hayate's battle theme, sounds like it'd fit right into an ''VideoGame/FZero'' game, especially with the electric guitars in the original and the synth solos in both versions of the song.
** Meanwhile Kiriko's battle theme, Like Falling Petals ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyjDOxSzWp8 Original]] / [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QkRsZUUorY GM Version]]), is more reminiscent of ''[[Franchise/TouhouProject Touhou]]'' tracks, especially at the start. The resemblance to ''Touhou'' music is more pronounced in the ''GM'' version. There is even a reference to the first stage theme from ''Kirisame Blade 2'', another game by Bikkuri Software.

* PolishedPort: The original game starts running slower the more the screen is flooded with bullets. This does not occur in ''GM''.

*** Type-B is the NEXALTS from ''Grand Cross Renovation'', which has its Break mode fire a thin laser that not only lasts for a long time, can be aimed and swung across the screen with ease, but also cancels bullets and lasers alike! No need to dodge bullets when you're essentially '''nigh-invincible'''. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83PMGndghoE Observe.]]
*** Type-C, the SAS-02-G2 ARYS, docks onto a larger fighter for its Break mode, which then automatically aims at enemies. But more importantly, it makes the ship ''completely'' [[InvincibilityPowerUp invincible during Break mode]], allowing it to effortlessly rack up multiplier from grazing as well as the Graze Counter gauge. Once Break mode is about to run out, simply fire your Graze Counter into a thicket of bullets to generate stars and make yourself invincible again, then activate Break mode again.
*** Type-D, which is ''TOKOYO'''s Cocoa herself, can use both Break mode and Graze Counter at the same time. Once again, Break Mode can be sustained for way longer than other fighters can, since you can fire your Graze Counter without having it interrupt Break Mode and the stars you earn from it can refill the Break gauge even if Break Mode is active, ''and'' with your Graze Counter popping off constantly (as long as you keep grazing bullets) in addition to Break, you will easily rip apart bosses and other high-health enemies like they're toilet paper.

* SequelDifficultyDrop: Or rather, remake difficulty drop. ''GM'' is a lot more generous in giving out 1-UP's via score thresholds and enemy drops, and if the player game overs while fighting either Kaika or Striae, (s)he gets to start just before the fight against Kaika--when the power-up ship shows up--as opposed to starting Stage 5/the Final Stage all over again like in the original.

*** Type-D, which is ''TOKOYO'''s Cocoa herself, can use both Break mode and Graze Counter at the same time. Once again, Break mode can be sustained for way longer than other fighters can, since you can fire your Graze Counter without having it interrupt Break mode and the stars you earn from it can refill the Break gauge even if Break mode is active, ''and'' with your Graze Counter popping off constantly (as long as you keep grazing bullets) in addition to Break, you will easily rip apart bosses and other high-health enemies like they're toilet paper.

* ThatOneAttack: The cube projectiles are destructible (in ''GM''), but also take a bit to clear out, even if the player has otherwise sufficient firepower. On the other hand, these same projectiles also provide an easy opportunity to charge one's Graze Counter meter.

*** Type-B is the NEXALTS from ''Grand Cross Renovation'', which has its Break mode fire a thin laser that not only lasts for a long time, can be aimed and swung across the screen with ease, but also cancels bullets and lasers alike! No need to dodge bullets when you're essentially '''nigh-invincible'''.

*** Type-B is the NEXALTS from ''Grand Cross Renovation'', which has its Break mode fire a thin laser that not only lasts for a long time, can be aimed and swung across the screen with ease, but also cancels bullets and lasers alike! No need to dodge bullets when there aren't any!

*** Type-C docks onto a larger fighter for its Break mode, which then automatically aims at enemies. But more importantly, it makes the ship ''completely'' [[InvincibilityPowerUp invincible during Break mode]], allowing it to effortlessly rack up multiplier from grazing as well as the Graze Counter gauge. Once Break mode is about to run out, simply fire your Graze Counter into a thicket of bullets to generate stars and make yourself invincible again, then activate Break mode again.
*** Type-D can use both Break mode and Graze Counter at the same time. Once again, Break mode can be sustained for way longer than other ships can, since you can fire your Graze Counter without having it interrupt Break mode and the stars you earn from it can refill the Break gauge even if Break mode is active, ''and'' with your Graze Counter popping off constantly (as long as you keep grazing bullets) in addition to Break, you will easily rip apart bosses and other high-health enemies like they're toilet paper.

** Resolution ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T798lnTVsGY Original]] / [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD-u5w2dErk GM Version]]) is the character, skill, and difficulty select theme, and it goes '''''hard'''''. You would be forgiven for staying on this screen for as long as possible to get crunk to the auditory sugar that said screen feeds you.

** Hearing Stage 3's theme, known as "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9OYuMERqo4 Drive All Enemy]]" in the original game and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ICARfeQnOg Drive All Enemies]]" in ''GM'', is how you know when things are getting serious. After all, Stage 3 is the midpoint of the game, as well as where you square off against a fellow human fighter pilot also trying to get EDEN shut down. The ''GM'' version of this song has choir-esque instruments in the beginning that add a certain sort of electricity to the stage, although the lone bass of the original lends its own brand of tenseness to the game atmosphere.

** Overhaul ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bopt-_ONOug Original]] / [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHNbPsLYs1o GM Version]]), the options menu theme, is a delightful little ditty to change your settings and watch chibi Hayates walk/sometimes stumble to.
* GameBreaker: In ''GM'' in particular:
** Type-5 and Type-6 are the default two ships, but with the gimmick that the Graze Counter gauge's and the Break gauge's methods of buildup are swapped, i.e. you build up Break Gauge by grazing and you build Graze Counter gauge by collecting stars. Activating Break mode is where the fun begins, because you can refill the Break gauge and keep the mode going by grazing bullets, allowing for some very high scores and heightened DPS that can last a long time.
** Type-C docks onto a larger fighter for its Break mode, which then automatically aims at enemies. But more importantly, it makes the ship ''completely'' [[InvincibilityPowerUp invincible during Break mode]], allowing it to effortlessly rack up multiplier from grazing as well as the Graze Counter gauge. Once Break mode is about to run out, simply fire your Graze Counter into a thicket of bullets to generate stars and make yourself invincible again, then activate Break mode again.
** Type-D can use both Break mode and Graze Counter at the same time. Once again, Break mode can be sustained for way longer than other ships can, since you can fire your Graze Counter without having it interrupt Break mode and the stars you earn from it can refill the Break gauge even if Break mode is active, ''and'' with your Graze Counter popping off constantly (as long as you keep grazing bullets) in addition to Break, you will easily rip apart bosses and other high-health enemies like they're toilet paper.

** When you hear Stage 3's theme, which is known as "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9OYuMERqo4 Drive All Enemy]]" in the original game, and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ICARfeQnOg Drive All Enemies]]" in ''GM'', is how you know when things are getting serious. After all, Stage 3 is the midpoint of the game, as well as where you square off against a fellow human fighter pilot also trying to shut down EDEN.

** Meanwhile Kiriko's battle theme, Like Falling Petals ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyjDOxSzWp8 Original]] / [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QkRsZUUorY GM Version]]), is more reminiscent of ''[[Franchise/TouhouProject Touhou]]'' tracks, especially at the start. The resemblance to ''Touhou'' music is more pronounced in the ''GM'' version.

* ThatOneLevel: Stage 2 of the original game--Crystal Labyrinth--for the section that harbors slowly revolving rings of indestructible enemies that fire bullets in a pattern that requires precise movement to get through unscathed. This in spite of how early in the game this is--at this point, the player has three more levels to clear. The silver linings to this section of the level are that there are barely any other enemies to contend with, as well as the fact that the boss fight with Noa is immediately after this gauntlet. Meanwhile in ''GM'', the Crystal Labyrinth has less enemies in those rings, and said enemies can be destroyed. Plus the player has the option of choosing another level to play instead.

* NarmCharm:

* ThatOneAttack: The cube projectiles are destructible, but also take a bit to clear out, even if the player has otherwise sufficient firepower. On the other hand, these same projectiles also provide an easy opportunity to charge one's Graze Counter meter.

** Technical Difficulties ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MUmAOWvm4U Original]] / [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux8lLSF5QYM GM Version]]), the mission theme, has strong eurobeat vibes. It's perfect for grazing (and drifting) your way through bullets and every mission both versions of the game have to offer.

** Type-D can use both Break mode and Graze Counter at the same time. Once again, Break mode can be sustained for way longer than other ships can, since you can fire your Graze Counter without having it interrupt Break mode and the stars you earn from it can refill the Break gauge even if Break mode is active, ''and'' with your Graze Counter popping off constantly (as long as you keep grazing bullets) in addition to Break, you will easily rip apart bosses and other high-health enemies like they're toilet paper.

** Type-C docks onto a larger fighter for its Break mode, which then automatically aims at enemies. But more importantly, it makes the ship ''completely'' invincible during Break mode, allowing it to effortlessly rack up multiplier from grazing as well as the Graze Counter gauge. Once Break mode is about to run out, simply fire your Graze Counter into a thicket of bullets to generate stars and make yourself invincible again, then activate Break mode again.

** Type-D can use both Break mode and Graze Counter at the same time. Once again, Break mode can be sustained for way longer than other ships can, since you can fire your Graze Counter without having it interrupt Break mode and the stars you earn from it can refill the Break gauge even if Break mode is active, ''and'' with Graze Counter in addition to Break, you will easily rip apart bosses and other high-health enemies like they're toilet paper.