Fair enough.
I realized too late that the tiles i made for the map were too big, i didn't have time to readjust all the tiles before the jam ended.
The item spawn chance for upgrades and the code note are 15% per room, and the map regenerates around you on occasion, and fully regenerates when you are caught, rolling the odds that you get what you need again. (It's kind of just chanceslop in retrospect.)
Perhaps if i added the ability to 'overclock' (run) your walking frame, it might sufficiently speed up the game without requiring a complete overhaul of the level?