Ok I did it. Hard difficulty is a waste of time. There is nothing different in the run route compared to easy other than getting 10 extra gold on the 2nd level for a safety-strategy. There is no further challenge except that you have fewer options and exploits to save time. Literally there are points in the game where you have no choice but to wait now. In Easy, you have ways to address those spots using revival exploits. Can't on Hard. But I guess I'm a badass now because I selected and beat the game on Hard lol.