Yesterday I got the remaining KONG letters and cleared the remaining temple levels so I could take care of Secret Seclusion. Overall, it was difficult, but not as hard as the temple levels. Levitation Station was my hardest level, and my easiest was Crazy Clouds. Hard Mode is a great challenge and very rewarding.
I've been having much more fun doing time attacks then in Returns since you can restart the level immediately after dying and you don't lose lives. I've gotten several golds and even a few shiny golds for levels like Scorch 'N' Torch. I've even challenged myself to get as many gold and shiny gold medals as possible. The biggest thing about the time attacks that gets me is that you have to read everything about the level. You need to keep in track of every enemy, platform, vine, or spring you come across. As a result, I've been observing the details of level design close than I ever have before. It really makes me appreciate how much effort Retro Studios put into the level design and the game in general.
Dev