I am currently giving hard mode a go and I have to say... well, like the name implies, it is significantly harder from the get-go, but doesn't feel like anything unbeatable. I don't think it unlocks any unique scenes (bar one) so it's not essential for grinding them or building XP.
To follow-up on this - yep, beat it first time. Contrary to what I said in my post previous to this - Bleed builds don't appear to be too bad if you use some of the new buff/debuff cards, but they aren't the uber-strategy that they used to be on the first two floors. A mix of cards is most likely best, but there is a lot you can do within that mix.
Unfortunately, the ending bugged out for me, so I'm not sure if beating the game is supposed to come with a full gallery unlock or anything like that (although the win animation and credits unlocked, so I assume not).
I didn't find the run
too hard, but I feel like I did get VERY favourable results with regards to RNG. Because it bugged out, I don't have my exact loadout, but the basics were:
Also, there is now a message saying you can't defeat the end boss on Normal now, if you've unlocked Hard mode, which... OK, I get why it's there as it stumped me at first, but I did like it before when it was a story-as-gameplay sort of thing. Having the message probably is better though, in the absence of anything else, especially when most people playing are going to have their blood flowing, uh,
elsewhere.
Overall... well, this isn't a review, and the game already has plenty of them. I just want to say again - definitely get this if you can afford it, it's surprisingly cheap compared to other adult games on Steam and an all-around solid game. Flame, if you are reading this - I'd love to see more of this, as a paid DLC or sequel or whatever, and if not... well, I'll probably check out your next game anyway.