For the survival clear, that’s right, I only wanted 2 full sets for as long as possible. For score play I’m no pro, but around 20 million is my personal best, a far cry from A perfect run which results in a counter-stop (99,999,999). For my score runs, it’s important to get as many full sets INCLUDING shields before stage 4 (also need 4+ bombs in stock). By using magic against the treasure chests they each give you an item you are missing, so that section you can complete a number of sets, my best is around x10 multiplier there. Then the possessed chests EACH release Legend Shields if you have complete shields and 4+ bombs, so you get a million points for each of those secret items (100K X10multiplier). Stage 4 alone has so many Secret Items, I try to get nearly 10million in that stage alone.
There is even an expert method I’m unable to pull off that involves having ALL the basic sets complete before the chests, and EVERY one releases a Secret Item that you don’t have yet. By the second group of chests, a pro is pushing 50-60million iirc. Those routes do involve skipping a fair number of secret items during their regular sections of appearance because they just end up with collecting them the method I just described. A comparable situation for me might be avoiding the secret stone that the stage 1 boss has, in order to start stage 2 with a higher level magic charge if I know I want to get some specific axes from the first wave of enemies.