Thank you! It was super fun making it :) Yeah, my first version had even more difficult controls and then I realized noone would be able to do anything :D
The circle actually does have gravity and it increases as you get closer, but it was difficult to get it to be strong enough you feel it, but not too strong that you can't escape. It actually helps you make that first bend, but only if you don't slow down too much - if you do, then you'll definitely feel the pull :D