Thank you for trying it out!
You're correct - the whole thing is a bit of a jankfest at the moment - but I do feel like having stuff to hide behind can work as a mechanic (if implemented and tuned better).
The atmosphere comment is an interesting one, because it's actually my second choice - it was originally supposed to be a cute-em-up (which is why the music is so cheerful). Noted, the gamer public demands dark xenobiology labs... hmmmm...