I appreciate the feedback! I actually tested a few of those ideas and just ran out of time to make them good enough to include.
The better crystals to mine further out was the very next thing I was going to add but could not within the time. I also had an enemy but the movement looked awful and I think I just lacked the talent to make it functional in the hours I had left.
The reverse bug is something I just totally missed so thank you for that!
The battery being the only challenge is the number one thing that bothered me when I was publishing. I figured it was too simple or easy as it sits but I didn't want to mess with the rules and try to go back and add something. I have found the broader response that the battery is too harsh very interesting for that reason but I'm not the type to try and argue with someone who is nice enough to share their thoughts.
Your feedback and the "dream" version of this that I had are pretty close so I will reach out if I ever make progress and you can let me know what you think!
Edit: I should mention that this version was done in a week for the Brackeys Game Jam 2026.1