It's a philosophical exploration. While it's a good idea, the simplified graphic and the BGM kinda reduced the potential for people to be immersed in the idea of "the universe is ending".
Maybe you don't even need to have the time limit nor something to rush the player.
Just the idea of exploring how people act or think alone would already offered a lot.
Maybe making this idea into walking sim where the player just walking around and talking to people. Then the player can decide what kind of activity to do before the universe ended. Of course without the time limit.
It's like allowing the players to really think about it rather than rushing for the results.
Or you could take things the other way around, well I won't tell you how because it's a much better idea to make games than just walking sim to help people explore the philosophical questions.
Don't get me wrong, philosophical games are great. It's just hard to make a good one.