Thank you for playing, and for taking the time to write this up — it’s a real pleasure to read.
You actually found the intended rhythm exactly: finishing the early activities completely is what unlocks the next ones and turns the manual action into something stronger. Honestly, I think I’ll keep the signposting light on purpose — working out the efficient path for yourself is part of what I wanted the game to be, and you did exactly that. Really glad it clicked for you.
Thanks again for sharing this!