Im not very big on there being zoinks of powers to choose from. I was going through a massive list of powers for a fighter with a player the other day and it took forever, and we only actually ended up taking the one that "kinda worked" for him.Personally, I don't care if we only get 3 choices per class in the book, as long as they are good choices, and that the undersupported classes get more powers added through DDI within a year.
I actually prefer less choices but that the choices are simply better (qualify, better = better design, not just "more powerful")
For instance, the Mage in HOTFL has only 3 powers per teir, but each of them were really good choices. Yes, min/maxers out there could find better Im sure, but really, if you restricted your choices to HOTFL only, you wouldnt end up dissapointed.
I think, based on the powers we have seen in essentials so far, which I would simply describe as "quality", we can give credit that WOTC has really learned about power design since 4e came out and that the "three options" (potentially) you will be getting for your classes from Shadow Power will continue this trend.
I have faith in this.