Usually a puzzle game with controls this obtuse tends to get overlooked because players think they have no way to progress. This game however has a fair bit of ratings and people seem to like it! After beating it, I think I know the answer: Tutorialization.
Of course, the presentation and linear levels are clear enough so that players won't get lost, which is a mistake made in quite a few games I've played. but the first level teaches you all you need to know to beat this game. It's almost like a vaccine where the first level presents the dumbed-down versions of the obstacles where you're forced to learn how to reposition yourself and look for 2*2 spaces. When I got stuck on levels 2 and 3, I thought to myself, "If I did this in level 1, I can do it here too".
Level 3 in particular has me going "Please let this be the end" the whole time, which oddly made me relate to the ending on an emotional level.
Would recommend to puzzle players when it's all said and done, 10/10.