I played this game probably longer than I should have, and was repeatedly killed. I thought it might be my own fault and tried various strategies, but overall I think the game is unfair. It doesn't give the player enough opportunities to really customize their character and develop a strategy, and some enemies can kill you in one or two moves, sending you back to the beginning of the stage. Try the author's 4x4 archipelago for something easier and less frustrating. Unless you really want a challenge I suppose. There's probably a successful strategy but apparently I'm not smart enough.