You are exactly right. The goal of the game is to have layered friction.
1. The inner game is to solve the puzzles and clear the levels. working on visuals, challenges.
2. The outer game is to give a feeling that the goal is to escape the captivity.
The inner fiction of the game was engrossing enough enough that you would forget that the outer fiction of sitting in front of the console even existed, which made the outer fiction seem a lot more “real” when it interrupted you. : wow loved the idea. Let me brainstorm on this.
Let me try to cut down unnecessary distractions. And add proper layered gameplay. Instead of running a maze. I can build a flow that is actually interesting.