That makes a lot of sense. If the choice was between polishing the level design further or spending that time keeping the build from falling apart, I think you made the right call. The level still communicated the mechanics clearly enough that I could see what you were going for.
The tongue mechanic actually sounds like exactly the kind of addition I was imagining. Not just another ability, but something that could create another tradeoff depending on how it interacts with oxygen, enemies, keys, hazards, etc.
And yeah, that’s absolutely part of the jam experience. Scope is hard enough with one person, let alone a team that hasn’t worked together before. Getting something complete, learning how everyone works, and coming away with ideas you’d want to explore further is a pretty good outcome.
Thanks again for making it. I had a good time with it.