Take it easy with that stuff of making the game and take care of you!
About the room numbers, the absence of puzzles, being tempted by other ideas of game, and the sensation of being unfocused not getting clear where is the game heading on, I’m in the same situation and I think that many of those silent writers of this jam (hey, you, yes you!) are also there.
Let’s do what we can with our time, and try to have a good time doing it!
About the game, I told you I like the artic isolated atmosphere, and the best advice I can give you If you ask me, is “stick to the plan”.
It does not matter that at some point there is an option that seems better (which surely there will be). Our most valuable resource here is time, and sticking to the plan is the most careful approach with it.
There will be other opportunities to develop other ideas, and this new one that you have seems cool. It's nice to receive recognition from others for our work, but not at the cost of doing what we don't want just because others don't understand or like.