The game has sufficient respect for your time that you can actually buy all the trophies/achievements with in-game currency!
Past the intro save points are plentiful, its just the initial/tutorial area that requires you not to die. Super easy so long as you don't get brave and stick it on a high difficulty setting. Hell on low difficulty you get auto-chips that basically make you invincible.
I almost had no clue if I could ever save, the way the game was going.
I started the game, there was a long StarFox section. Made it through that. - Surely, there would be a checkpoint?
Next, on rail section with different types of enemies, learning their attacks and moves. Check
Next, you level up and they explain some of your powers and control, Check.
Now, they throw what I feel is a boss at you, I am able to defeat it. There has to be a check point, no, why not?
Then, I am still 15 - 20 minutes into the same enemies, now with more armor, I defeat them, my health is getting lower.
Everything clear?, Nope here comes hundreds of death orbs off screen for more fun!
At this point I am not thinking about enjoying the game, I am worried if I am going to lose all this progress.
I don't suck at the game (I think).
It looks like they went out of their way to do 2 things, no save points AND no check points.
I'm not sure if it was meant to artificially extend the game time, but they lost me.