Thank you for playing the game and thank you for the feedback. We think all the points you mentioned are absolutely true. Fortunately, a lot of them are corrected on the full game (like shift not costing you the whole round, it does not regenerate mp/hp though, that was done on this jam to make it worth it, a bit or having a more consistent plot). Mostly, was because of the lack of time and it was our first try on the MZ engine.
the sandstorms, yeah...is as you mentioned it, we wanted to show are weather system, but yeah, missing is one of the most frustrating outcomes in any battle, but there was no many weathers you can exploit on a dessert, maybe if it was less punishing would've been better.
Also important to mention, this will be updated as the jam ends, as we want to add some to it (like a proper ending that shows why the are together in a campfire, add /edit animations (some of them doesnt even have sound) and overall, implement all the feedback given.
Glad to hear that all the critique you have given, you consider it small issues and overall you have a good experience. The full game first episode will launch episode will be released REALLY soon, hope you can play it.
Again, thanks!