This is a bit weird, because I don't have any strong feelings towards this game, but while trying to explain why, I always end up at something that's actually pretty good. So why is it ultimately just an okay-ish package?

It does extend the classic gameplay a fair amount through more intensive dialogues, different personality paths you can take and different abilities (though those are really just a replacement for items). They're pretty straightforward though and none of these new interactions stand out more than usual puzzles. It's definitely a good alternative for this crime scene investigation gameplay, but I generally don't feel like alternative paths in games offer anything more than linear stories.

It does touch upon different topics including AI singularity, cults and parenthood. I think the latter is fascinating but gets remedied to a subplot, while the overly all-encompassing topics don't stand out. Maybe because the presentation and pacing in the point-n-click genre is tough to manage.

The setting of a town on a pedestal doesn't have any relevance except for one point, and then only for ten minutes. And while there's so much to talk about elsewhere, I think a well-developed environment is very important. At most, the setting is used to convey a vague sense of isolation, but that's not really anything special about this genre. It's also in the weird spot where it's visually presented as a city, but is more of a town socially.

Incongruence is the key: between the limited scope and the grand story, the rigid cage of point-n-clicks and the tense moments, the image of a city and the feeling of a village. I feel there's a need for more intimate stories in sci-fi, and it can be done - take a look at Tacoma.