I haven't even beaten it yet but it's my favorite shmup ever.

This game just speaks to me.

I can't get past the first level because playing on emulator absolutely fucks the input timing but I don't care I still love this game with my heart it's just lovely.

Building a mech and then piloting it is just incredibly satisfying. Also found the narrative surprisingly compelling. I think this is one of my favorite games ever made.

Love everything in this game.

Took me like a year of playing on and off to finish it, but I actually really liked it. Everyone says that this is just a very long setup for the rest of the series but I actually think it's a pretty satisfying story by itself, though obviously I'll play the sequels.

Hypest Shmup Ever Made, played the same set of levels again and again and never got bored once, it is an insanely satsifying game. Good in every sense; looks, gameplay, music, and, the one thing that elevates it, narrative and themes, which is the thing I always felt lacks in most shmups and that truly keeps me engaged. Hard to decide between this one and Radiant Silvergun for my favorite shmup ever.
And yes, the true final boss rocks and you can't convince me otherwise.