I wish the game was quicker with the unlocks, what makes the game fun for me is player experimentation with how the tiles interact.

The gear thing is mostly true so far except for the necromancer where lower level gear can be better depending on the effect. There is some tricks to tile placement but it mostly has to do with giving you character some breathing room and ultilizing corners and straight lines.

I am annoyed that the game got it's hooks on me because I've already spent like 10 hours on it.