I just started playing this game today and I have to say it's amazing. It's everything that I hope to find in a game. There are a few things I would add and some things I could suggest.
I think this game is great because it's a relaxing environment with very clear rules that still feels cool because of its magical elements. When I play a game like this, I want to feel like an alchemist and I didn't - I felt like an alchemist's apprentice. and that's perfect. I feel like the difficulty curve for the game is exactly where it needs to be. It felt difficult to learn, but I can easily see someone memorizing the patterns for potions and getting really good at this game. It's neat! It was fun the entire time, and I'm trying to type quickly so I can return to it.
At least for me, some of the machines were a bit difficult to figure out how to use but maybe that's how you wanted the game to feel. I didn't question it too much.
Next, I was disappointed that there wasn't a dedicated pause menu for the game. Obviously you have Oculus' and Steam's, but I was hoping there would be in-game options, hints, and maybe a restart button.
The next thing, I was really enjoying the game but I couldn't help thinking - man this would be great if it had an endless mode. Not only to see what's your best high score, but also it would give time for newer players like myself to learn the game mechanics on my own. I will say - the pregame lobby is it nice little sandbox for figuring out the game, but the costs is what keep pressure on the player to hurry up and start. An endless mode would be great and if it's easily manageable, then I think having save files for that mode would create a pseudo-campaign for players.
Besides those suggestions, there were some minor things I thought were a bit irritating. Having to turn my bottle upside down to use one of the machines would often cause the drink to pour out instead. I'm not sure if you added this as an extra difficulty - It's fine if you did, but if not then I would suggest adding in a new feature. It seems right now that if I have 2 bottles each with an element and I want to add them together, it's not possible. I think it should be possible to "pour" one element into another bottle. The lever to open the door also felt a bit clunky to use, I don't know if that's just because it's on a pivot or something, but maybe try to spend time smoothening it. Or make it a button.
I also noticed while watching some footage of old demos that the ingredients use to be different. The ingredients used to look like actual ingredients. I would've preferred this over the crystallized elementals - even if it's the same gameplay wise. I can understand why you'd want to use ingredients that are more clearly and easily understood by the casual audience, but I think my general advice is appealing to a casual audience is about looking cool while you're doing something. Adding the herbal ingredients would add to that apprentice alchemist feeling I mentioned earlier.
I know it may not seem like it, but my overall experience with the game was a positive one. I really wanted to write this because I really hope to be an early player who sees the game grow into something beautiful. So if you ever needed a sign, here it is - keep working on this game!