Looking back, I think I've misread your thoughts on shops. I think I understand what you were trying to say now.
I know that I haven't exactly answered your question, but I can't/don't want to go to any specifics.
Too early, and I don't know what works and what doesn't (technically), don't want to make promises I won't keep.
But to vaguely answer it, a combat system I made up on my own, trauma(wounds) system, etc, etc.
Basically, I'm "abandoning" this and making an entirely new game with the same concept of lore.
Well, I'm glad there was no need for "a grind". But many have told me that the current game has "too many enemies".
Mainly because the current game-loop is run-fight-trigger_cutscene, and the story/combat isn't good enough to make up for it.
I mainly updated this game, so I had an excuse to have it in this jam. To gain feedback. Now that I have gained said feedback, I'm satisfied and can move on to remaking the entire thing.
I don't regret not touching it for 4 years or releasing a semi-broken update now. Because I've gained necessary experience and feedback.
I suppose what would be best, is to finish the current update so it won't be left half-finished and fix the major issues found with it.
Then I want to move to a new project, I'm burned out with this one. lol?
Well, thank you again for the feedback. It's been thought-provoking and quite useful because of it.