Just played this for the first time. It was the revised "Normal Level." I really enjoyed it! A lot to explore in a fun little package. I would call it NORMAL/HARD, but not VERY HARD. Not sure how its been changed, but the Umbrella Puzzles, which I normally hate, really were not that bad. (What I really hate is having to navigate down a spiked corridor with naught but the umbrella.)
Got the secret ending on the first try. I share your love for Talps' epic levels! I'm going to use that list as a jumpboard for the next levels I play, right after I finish "The World is Changing."
Anyways, GREAT LEVEL, especially for your first! I'm looking forward to more! Have a star!