I disagree when you say few people will keep the game. My little universe is so repetitive and boring... in a way the two games are similar... and so different! The grinding in The way home feels so much more entertaining and satisfying compared to my little universe! :/
Not many ≠ few people
Also "My little universe" got major overhauls and rebalanced sporting 6 whole worlds and realistic pricegrowth with good rewards after every ad YOU DECIDE TO WATCH
The grinding in "The way home" is annoying too ngl. You loose 2/3 of your stuff when you die (and you start dying very quickly from Island 3 onward even with everything maxed out) and you don't even get to decide which 1/3 you get to keep. You always keep the least valuable 1/3
I can't agree with your take and advise you to revisit My little universe and take a good look