Think you picked up on all of the things i had issues with myself when making it! Think im going to work on the game myself and instead of the vignette being what makes the world dark have it as overall light, then even trash behind the area you can see will illuminate the area around when near.
Same with the dialogue! ill likely post in the discord if i happen to evolve the game futher! Hoping with a bit more time this can become a fully fleshed out idea :)