I think the main issue is that the knowledge upgrades were actually kinda useless compared to the temporary ones, which made it possible to win in the first or second loop. Should be better now.
I was still able to beat it on the second loop, without autoclicker. My total mana generated was just barely over 4 million, so over 75% of that was used to fire the beam in the second loop.
But I definitely like the concept, and I liked the fact that it always felt as though I was doing something and there was a goal near at hand.