Your saves are separated from the game file and that's important because I forgot to ask whether you've been downloading update only files.
Update only files are pretty much useless because you can delete the entire game, download the latest version, and your saves are intact from where you left off. According to another frequent poster on this thread if your problem is a save issue then you just need to delete user data (and here is the rub) download a clean save and you should be fine.
In your shoes, I would personally delete everything and start a new game from the beginning. I can attest to the full version(s) of this game that have been posted in the OP are clean (as long as you play by the rules
![Wink ;) ;)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
), they've been posted by patreons.
If I were a thinking developer who made my living developing one game at a time, I might throw some curveballs to those who clearly get the game from sources other than me and screw with those who modify it in a way that I can't approve of.