Ohh this was fun!! These kinds of games always remind me of that old windows screen saver with the maze haha. It feels very nostalgic. I also struggled with level two - but mostly cuz the first time I got to that point I left back to the first level (because the prisoner told me the way I'd come was the best path and I took it too literally haha) and when I reentered level 2 I was stuck on a black screen. But knowing that and with a fresh start it took me a few tries but was eventually doable. I love the style of the art! It's very clean and clear. I feel like with these kinds of maps it's easy for it to be too overwhelming and I think you found a good balance. I liked how all the items "turned" to face the player as you moved around haha. A probably unintended but still cute aspect of it.
I thought the layout of the areas was well done, I usually felt like I knew where I was going. The music was nice and not too repetitive. I completely get what you mean about this game being a learning experience and not something you're going to follow up on much, I approach game jam games very similarly. This little jam community is a great avenue for that, lots of nice people happy to chat with you about mechanics and balance! I've learned a TON since I joined the discord and started doing these regularly.