I don't mind too much that it's basically exactly the same game with a '3' stuck on the end, as I still find it very playable and fun. But if you have a creative person in your game design team, a bit of a shake-up would be nice for #4.
Progress saves automatically. If saves are being lost, it's a problem on the user's end, not the game. The forums (tech support) should be able to help with progress being deleted.
@Frozty - there are some extremely tough user-created maps on CW1 (available through the website it links to), and times are posted to scoreboards on the Knucklecracker site. Not sure about validating, but the folk who play (or who played when I used to do a lot of user maps) seem like the sort who wouldn't cheat even if it was possible.
@Thecis there's a 'Longest Mission Time' on the high scores tab on the chat window, near the bottom on the dropdown menu. Not sure what the scores on there mean, but it's effectively longest survival time.
My tactic was the same as dgoodhue, except I started with a blaster after building my first few collectors, built mortar straight after it, and went from there. It was a nice level, wish there were more tough ones.
Touching the ground seems to scrub off way too much speed, and the upgrade for it doesn't do enough. That's probably what makes it ridiculously grindy more than anything else.
Love the game, but agree with some of the comments. Having to zoom back through the same bit of sea every time is quite tedious, so checkpoints would be nice.
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 "Creeper World: Evermore")
 "Turbo Rally")
 "Hands of War 3")
 "Renegade Racing")
 "King's Bounty: Legions")
 "Chronicles of Blood")
 "Wings of Destiny")
 "Berzerk Ball 2")
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 "Rooms of Memory")
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 "Deep Sea Hunter")
 "Liquid Measure 3")
 "Snail Bob 3")
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it and kudos on completing!