I think something that could be of benefit to the game, both at the start and for a larger feeling of progression (I realize this is very early and might be simply for getting things out there.) but to grow our big guy from something smaller, and start with time crystals taking less essence, since essence gathering scales with his size. Plus it's weird to be stealing his essence only to give it to him without any visual reversal effects or be the way to gain your first ways into the main areas of the game. Food for thought.