First of all, you can download all version, not only the android version, so if you have a computer or tablet you could try that.
Second, and more importantly "can't open the file" is not really anything I've seen on an android. "Can't install", yes, that usually happens when there's not enough (temporary) space to unpack/install the apk, you usually need 3-4 times as much space as the .apk file size, but I think 5gb is the minimum. Again, this is just for unpacking/installing, the game itself doesn't need that much space.
You also need to enable "install from unknown sources", otherwise it just won't let you install the game.
Yes I am aware of all that. Firat of all, I don't have a tablet or PC to put it on. second of all, I am well aware of how it works when you don't have space, as you said it gives you an error while trying to install the file and I dont think my 79gb of free space is an issue. Third of all, I have 3rd party install turned on as I have downloaded numerous games from itch without issue, all apk's (including one just 6 days prior). So I guess to answer my question, yes I am just out 9 bucks.