Thanks for playing!
You could grab some speed upgrades early on to evade the monsters more effectively. :D A regeneration also help a huge amount!
Mob spawning chance is also based on amount of upgrades * distance from spawn, When in range of the crafting portal no new monsters spawn.
I do agree this should be communicated more clearly! (Currently there's only 1 line mentioning it vaguely.) I plan on adding all feedback in after the judging period ends. <3