Thank you for the kind words!
I created the swordfish before I realize I wanted to have more open levels, so I naively expected the player would always be approaching them directly from the front or behind. I'm not sure how I'd do collision detection with vector calculations instead, but I should have at least adjusted the nose sword's hitbox before release.
I knew from early on that I wanted two games. Luckily I've had experience making survivor-likes and was able to do that section from start to finish on the final weekend. The funny bone section is totally too long, you're right. I based the length on the song I chose, which was 256 seconds... the number was too appealing.
Hurray for Yemmep love!