I was put off my people saying how hard it was
But I got into it really quickly. As you say, the difficulty curve is quite gradual.
( Two Hats 🎩🎩, Mon 28 Apr 2025, 9:26, archived)

If you ignore the gratuitously sadistic parts like the Path of Pain and the pantheons, it's a very enjoyable ride.
Even now, I can hear the ghost of Queef saying 'sToP tAlKiNg AbOuT 2D pLatFoRmErs!'
( .Yeti., Mon 28 Apr 2025, 9:45, archived)