Thankyou for your feedback!
The escalating cast threshold definitely seems to be a pain-point based on other folks feedback, I'll be taking a close look at it.
Don't worry, the problem of too many ingredients is one I'm actively aware of and I have a solution in mind, but it's tied up with the progression overhaul I have in mind so I can't implement it just yet.
Definitely want to add some new transformations with the next update - it's been much too long since I've last done so. I've been working on a system for the character sprites to hopefully make them more flexible, but until it's completed it hinders my ability to do so.