I can't go to the Options panel because doing so hangs my system, but the game play is otherwise OK. Could someone post what is available on the Options panel as well as default (initial) values?

I want to decide if I can even play the game enjoyably while awaiting a fix, or if I should pursue alternative resolutions.

There isn't much at the option screen.
deciding if you want fullscreen or windowed, fullscreen by default
volume of music and sfx
text speed ist normal at default
you cann choose between gamepad and xbox controlelr (xbox by default)
and then you can change the keys (I don#t remember the default settings there)

that's all
I don#t know why it causes trouble for you though, it works perfectly fine for me

I don't know why this is an issue for me, but it is. And it seems for some number of others as well.
Thanks for the info on options. So there is one difficulty level for the game?

There are no difficulty settings in this game, it always stays an easy game.

According to the recent patch notes, there's a Nightmare Difficulty, though.

Oh right, I forgot about that one (heven't installed the patch yet)

AND using the latest version I too get the Options panel now. :)