It'll still be "WTF" in nature if I shorten it to 30 moves (that's still a lot of moves). The thing is it'll shorten the pain, especially for those that do not get the puzzle.
The reason why to shorten it is because some people will get completely stuck there, or at least they think since it's a lot of moves until the matrix more or less shows SOME signs of advancement. By shortening it, people will at least not lose hope, or the will to play it due to frustration. I might make it like 35 in the regular, and 25 in the easy.
Hard mode is supposed to be hard, but it's not supposed to discourage players.