I see, can you post which rooms you unlocked?
I went left and down, which meant I didn't find the running shoes or keys to unlock chests. I eventually restarted since it was impossible to progress, and focused on the right, and managed to finish the game a few times.
It was just the first failed run that was extremely demoralisng, having to restart the entire game especially with the slow walking speed, not knowing when the running shoes will be unlocked or if my run will end up being stuck again haha
Do you remember how many rooms you unlocked in each direction? I'm aware that its possible to unlock the rooms in an order that makes it take a bit longer to unlock the next shop. but I'm not aware that there's any impossible paths. But yes, I think it's a problem that some paths are slower and might feel impossible. I will keep that in mind when designing future maps.
From the starting map, I think I went:
LDD I found fisherman Rufus but never found his shop. And also used most of my items to reach the shop in this map but cannot break the barrel. Then went
UULDD and used up all remaining items, never unlocked mines and running shoes. Got stuck unable to progress as I cannot unlock anything else, cannot afford any items, the only crystal exchange is rocks which I don't have as I have not unlocked the mine yet.
I also used matches to unlock shortcuts which made the items run out even faster.
Hope this helps.
Just some thoughts to add on:
1) Limited crystal redemption. Limited single use items with prices that goes up too fast per item. There is never enough crystals to buy all the items required. After 6+++ runs I am always running out of crystals. Suggestion: increase crystal redemption or crystal amount.
1a) It is never worth unlocking shortcuts as the items required is limited/ too expensive.
2) Running shoes. As controls for running shoes are in the instructions, I expected to see them in the first shop or second shop I unlock instead of up to luck to get t the correct shop. Suggestion: make shoes toggleable after buying as I didn't walk after getting shoes?
3) Hats eat up limited resources and are useless. As I didn't manage to unlock the mines, if I buy the chef's hat there is no stone left to buy items and exchange for crystals.
4) Chest rewards are sometimes not worth the 80+ crystals used to buy keys.
5) Increase mining range doesn't show much increase in mining range. Mining area seems like 2 rocks touching me only.
6) Duplicate upgrades that doesn't seem to make much of a difference.
7) Unable to exchange all coupon items from the first shop. This isn't used in the other shops, which makes it awkward like why only 1 shop has it.
8) After a few runs the inventor shop barrel punching gloves are missing from purchase.
Hope this helps!