hi, the programmer here! i actually agree. we were considering adding an "against-something" trial, something like a timer or someone or something that chase you.
instead of that we decided to go on with just movement and precise platforming since the feeling of instability and randomness of thepocket, along with the understanding of the pogo system was our main focus.
we had plenty ideas of mechanics and game modes like a bonus level with 20 objects, an "endurance" game mode where you had to keep the objects in the pockets while hundreds of birds attack you, different shapes and sizes of pockets and objects, sacrificing some objects in the pocket to launch them and interacting with other systems, an actual pogo mining mechanic, a extraction game mode...
thanks for the comment!