Some of the challenges require finishing the level faster, but I can figure out how to speed the game up. What am I missing?

Anyone else having extreme difficulty beating stages? I feel like the weapons are SEVERELY under-powered when compared to overall enemy health, not including bosses. I have fully evolved gear taking multiple hits for ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ MINIONS...not even mini bosses but trucking minions. If i ddin't place every single point i had into health regen i would die every map. Also, how the ♥♥♥♥ do you not implement rerolls/banishes/saves for weapons/trinkets in a game like this? Did the devs do ZERO research on bullet hell...

Is this game dead?

I play as Ariana and she slows down when aiming, is she supposed to do that? Seems strange since she stills shoot the spears even if I'm not aiming?!

I'm trying to unlock Azazel, but everytime I try my survival time gets worse. First time I lasted 7 minutes before I got mobbed over, the second time was a minute, and the third time was 36 seconds. What upgrade levels are recommended to do this? I have Mighty Punch, Ancestral Razor, and Buckler Favorited at the moment. It would probably be easier if Abbadon didn't always shoot right. I have like 7/8 in damage, and it still seems like the shots doesn't do enough damage....