One of the best game I played in this jams! Great use of the theme "there and back" but pretty ok idea of collectible gem and buying upgrade since it has been done multiple time. Well done with the generated map! Nice artstyle both the characters, creatures, and environment.
Although the difficulty increase should be more interesting and intense for it to not get boring and repetitive.
All in all, you are already a professional game developers with this kind of quality you can produce.
Here's our jam game if you like to try https://meltedbrainz.itch.io/the-forgotten-artifact