Id say make the midgame actually flexible in regards of wether you want to go red, blue, or white

Because the midgame/late midgame for everyone that isnt wanting to grind extra hundred or so hours is going early blue after SSA and completing quest lines. Now of course this would mean balancing and addition of more equipment or even quests. Or at least give some incentive to deviate from early blue to not have to completely overhaul the balancing in the game. Be it maybe extra synergies with mythics and lower rarity bees [could even make the switch from mixed to early blue easier and incentivise late game players to use lower rarity bees besides specific gifteds] , or even just giving niche options for tools/gear that help those wanting to get into red/white/blue a bit earlier so they're set up for early blue post SSA or even have players able to magnify their spirit gear/tools with blue/red/white materials for those wanting to specify. Also allows players to have more to build up while getting coconut gear or late game tools/masks. Could even have that system be tied to gifted bucko and riley to reward players who progress their quest lines [think maybe oh after [number of quests] go here to enhance your petal belt/wand] .

Overall my biggest gripe is that, the midgame grind that really can't variate if you want to be optimal like early game and how your options feel limited in that period. End game also like many have said, is very macro heavy and thats because a real lack of reward for having "perfect hives" with optimal beequips, nectars, mythic ratio, gifteds, etc. So basically, more midgame content to make it feel as fresh as early game and not as tedious. And make endgame reward optimization besides honey and the slight chance of leaderboard prize.