> It might sound surprising, but the most enduring challenge I've had developing this game so far has just been designing new stages and making sure they're not repetitive, both visually with assets and the actual layout of levels. It's a constant struggle, despite me being able to figure out almost everything else.
Not surprising at all, I think it's a side-effect of this game being, at its heart, really simple: _blow shit up_. Which is absolutely a good thing; knowing your core gameplay loop and optimising the hell out of it is far preferable to "triple A" titles that shove in everything and the kitchen sink, and end up with an experience that is just bland (*cough* Bethesda *cough* Starfield *cough*).
As it is, my suggestion is to consider environments that would challenge the Landsword. For example, a level with lots of tall peaks and narrow valleys (which Mars definitely has) such that the mountains obscure radar returns and allow for enemy ambushes. Perhaps a less-terraformed area where weapons aren't able to function as normal because of cosmic radiation, or just plain sand that slows you down?
I also feel that introducing more varied enemies will help because it will give you more building blocks to design levels with. For example, an easy early level could be revisited later with more challenging enemies. More aerial attackers is also an option to consider.
Finally, I think the campaign needs more coherent connections/transitions between levels or groups of levels - right now they feel very disjointed and arbitrary.
Overall, I am looking forward to where you go with things and I'm confident you'll deliver something even more outstanding than what you've already shown us.