I'm definitely glad to hear that the gameplay had caught on over time!
With the size of the game, part of keeping things interesting was that small time window right there, and I'm glad that, in practicing those levels, the game became easier for you! As the game builds up in difficulty across the span of levels, it's good to get in practice with the shifts per level, all building up toward that final stage, a real test of your understanding of the game's mechanics!
I can totally understand the comment on the crank orientation too, the motion translates to picking up the plant in concept, but if it doesn't work too well for comfort, then it takes innovation and makes it into inconvenience. Given that cranking clockwise is what most of us are used to anyhow, and it wouldn't be too big of a change to the gameplay, it's something I can totally implement, like... right now! In the new build, there's "original", "inverted", and, "crankless" control schemes!
I'm glad you like the style of Rikki and the menus too! Your feedback is totally appreciated, through and through!