Hah, looks like I'm one of the lucky ones with the 1.0 version of it. I like the new version for sake of accessibility but it also kind of detracts from the atmosphere a little. A choice or an option in the menu to hide the options menu in game would be nice.
Regardless,
the artstyle, the atmosphere, the music they all blended into an incredible experience. Your writings speak volumes.
(And I wish I could say just how much more great this experience is, however my words lack such convicitions yours' do)