Complex sentence: The stage designs were heavily influenced by Macross, Gradius, and Valis, though some deviation is apparent with bosses like the Grim Reaper and Mermaid.
Split into simpler sentences: The stage designs were heavily influenced by Macross, Gradius, Valis. Though it tries to deviate from other space shooters with bosses like the Grim Reaper and Mermaid.