Thank you so much for this incredible feedback (and for hosting the jam!). Your notes are well-taken and your praise is humbly accepted :)
You're absolutely right re: how the game lines up with Le Guin's Omelas and its interpretations. I did stray from what even I took from the short story, mostly to help direct the gameplay, but, in the spirit of the jam and the current state of the world, I think the game does deserve to be more optimistic, and I'm more than happy to incorporate your thoughts in a new draft.
And thank you for linking this essay — I'm very much looking forward to reading it!