Yeah, I have heard the game is grindy for some people. I recently made difficulty levels, so maybe that helps? Dunno which version you played though.
As for Beck, she is blackmailing you to NOT start a fight, as if they do, the MC will get kicked out of their scholarship (which is the whole reason they are doing this in the first place). But the pills are placeholder atm. They dont do much, but they do do something.
Hypno Content: Ehhh... maybe? If I don't get any more error messsages from the movies playing out, then maybe. Otherwise, might be more trouble than its worth.
Puzzles: I made them skipabble in the newest version
Steam Deck: Interesting. Good to know