Thanks for the additional feedback.
We will continue to iterate on how best to handle the gameplay for the default and for the various difficulty/accessibility options. We do want to offer a "Story Mode", and the Party Bag option will certainly be part of it. Play balance for item drops will certainly be adjusted as we progress to find a good balance for the base difficulty.
We will need to think on how best to handle the music transition. We wanted the feel to go from combat to celebrating the victory, but I can see how it could be a bit jarring and in need of something to smooth it out.
Thanks. I'm working on the combat now, updating abilities, while my partner is working on story updates. We want to get one more update in before the Press Preview starting on the 4th. We will be working on all aspects of the game in the time we have left before the main event.