Hey!
Thanks for taking the time to write all that up!
I actually like Option 4 the most out of the ideas you listed. It feels like it could add some long-term progression and collection goals without adding too much complexity to individual runs or creating another system players feel obligated to manage every time they level up.
I also like the idea of unlocking them through milestones, achievements, character victories, bosses, and similar accomplishments. That gives players more reasons to keep playing while still keeping the focus on the core gameplay.
One thing that stands out to me is that a system like this might make more sense as a future expansion to Endless Mode, Challenges, or other long-term progression content rather than being a major part of Story Mode itself. Story Mode is currently focused on the core gameplay loop, while a pet collection system could give players additional goals to chase once more content and game modes are in place.
That said, I'm trying to stay disciplined with the current roadmap. There are still a few systems, bosses, enemy types, balance changes, and game modes that I want to complete before I start introducing entirely new progression features.
As a solo developer, I have to be careful about scope and prioritize features that will have the biggest impact on the game first. Between freelance work, family life, and development time, there's always a much longer wishlist than there are hours in the day. 😄
I've added the pet idea to my future feature list, though. It's definitely something I can see fitting into the game later on, potentially as a free content update once the core systems, Endless Mode, and other planned features are in a stronger place.
Thanks again for the suggestion and for continuing to test new versions and share ideas. Feedback like this helps a lot when planning future updates.
See you in The Pit 🤘