I didn't get too far in because the game is pretty dense from the get-go, while not exactly being friendly. I feel like there should be a clearer display of what each modifier does and how swapping their order is actually something meaningful. The more modifiers you get, the more experimentation becomes discouraged if this is not a fast, intuitive process. Arguably it may be the case once you get used to the process, but I didn't play as far as to get to that point, sorry. It wasn't very well reflected ingame with the starter modifiers either; perhaps a tutorial level with stronger, very distinct & disctinctly combinable upgrades is in order.
Aside from that I think the game seems fun enough, though I agree with congusbongus on the pacing a little. It's just the frontloading that gets to me.