Since some version, I don't remember exactly, when starting a new game it became possible to skip all this fuss with Merrill. Which undoubtedly makes the gameplay easier and opens the way to the rest of the content faster.
But in version 0.421а there is a nuance (basically, as always)- the content has changed again: in the jungle I did not find any fairies or stunned girls. Only a girl by the fire, who needs to be recruited. Plus the number of sexual positions in the hero's room has decreased (I didn't look further). Therefore, in my personal opinion, it is worth playing 4.12 for now, it has all this (it's still on the front page, on Gofile)
I don't know, however, what content was added in update 0.421а (if anyone has info - post it in the thread, please).