Thanks for your feedback - I'll certainly take it on board for next time. I think gradual introduction in roguelikes can be very easily done incorrectly, because it increases the penalty for death in a genre of where dying is relatively commonplace. That said it can still be done correctly, such as by ensuring the ramp-up section is exciting enough to not be a slog for a non-beginner, or having it only optionally repeatable (like if it's on an alternate optional path, or adding a checkpoint respawn location or w/e).
I'll give something like that a go for next years jam! Unfortunately this is a throwaway game made just for the 7drl challenge, so it won't get any updates except for bug fixes.