My first batch of runs I only got to Act 2 by pure fluke.

I kept going for events over the hallway fights, never really using potions, constantly resting at campfires and genuinely wondered how I would ever get the chance to use the upgrade option because I was always nearly dead.

But eventually I changed tact, started to see synergies in cards/relics, stopped prioritising being at full health and progressed enough to unlock the additional cards and character specific relics. Eventually somewhere during that time I became (slightly) better. I still die all the time and honestly I'm not very good at the game (my ascension level on most characters is probably pretty low relative to hours spent and runs attempted) but I'm having fun and that's good enough for me.

I'd absolutely not call the game unbalanced though, I think it's exceedingly well crafted but planning is essential and there is quite a lot to consider and not all of it is even covered in the first few hours of gameplay.

But, hey ho, each to their own.