You're very welcome! This is the first project I've left actual feedback on because it's so early in development, but more importantly, promising! I'm glad to know people seem interested; I certainly am!
Knowing that it's a design choice actually makes me perfectly fine with it. It's a bit unfortunate due to the nature of those scenes, and the lack of extra scenes in general, but it's your game! Plus, the idea isn't awful, though it will make grinding a bit more necessary, so I'd only have to add on that enemy scaling will be all the more important! Your idea of adjusting difficulty some for being alone would likely fix that, especially for those like me who...wonder around immediately.
I really look forward to following you as a developer, especially since you're reading the feedback you get! I think delaying a bit longer to add more content would be a good idea, that way new players will also get a longer experience!
Don't worry about the delayed response, you're understandably busy, and I also know that anxious feeling all too well! I'm glad I could give you some positive feedback, and I look forward to future updates! Best of luck, and have a great week!