Just to clarify, are you saying that the map from a previous run stays on the next one
Yes, that's the idea.
but it disappears after some time, or it disappears after you die again, or in two deaths from then?
And that's an optional idea on the previous one in case you're afraid it would become too easy and under control.
Would you mind elaborating? Does the checkpoint save the map? Does it make you respawn there?
No, the second idea is just to keep a permanent landmark to help the player locate himself and memorise the area. I was thinking of a light you activate when touching. It's may be just four colored pixels that does nothing more, but then the player could remember "ok that is that area", like a sign to tidy what you see into what you memorize.But they are just ideas you can modify as you want. There is many paths to choose according to what you want your game to be ;)