Same position. Was having a great time with this one until I hit the same spot and couldn't make it out. If we are missing an upgrade, then either need some way to prevent us from going down there, or a shortcut to get back.
There's no upgrade required there, I'm afraid it's just a tricky section, as it's meant to be one of the games end-game challenges! I have had a few comments about it being a bit unfair and I considered changing it, but ultimately I've decided to be true to myself as a fan of challenging platformers and leave it as it is. If you stick at it I'm sure you'll be able to clear it!
I respect your vision. But the time I spent across two days trying to get through that area lies in stark contradiction to your confidence that people will be able to get it. There hard, then there's "Nintendo hard".... then there's whatever this is.
Guess I'll just choose to decide that's the end of the game, that you forgot to put the "The End" screen down there, and that 100% collection is merely a completionist target. Under those qualifiers, good game.
I had restarted to make sure I hadn't missed anything and left it for last. As I had gotten better, I was able to eventually make the jumps and finish the game (overall great btw), but agree it was probably the hardest part. I think there were a few hitboxes on the spikes as as you are coming up from below them that felt a bit unfair, and the timing for that one jump on the lower middle section of the no-safe-zone screen that was frustratingly difficult, but otherwise it is a fair challenge.
Definitely keep the difficulty on this section! This is one of those precision platforming sections that really make the game memorable. My only frustration here is not having a restart mechanic before this section to avoid the walk of shame back to the starting platform. It's very rewarding practicing the section enough to consistently make progress. I ended up making it through this section once and somehow overstepped the end and died on the next screen.. causing me to need to do it again. I ended up clearing it again 2 attempts later. This is a very well designed game.