My impression of We the Giants after playing it is that, with some more elements, it could’ve been a lot more successful in engaging the individual player and encouraging more people to play. (This isn’t to criticize the creator really; it’s more so what would've been cool to add.)
I think the simplicity of the aesthetic does accomplish what it sets out to do. The design of the “giants” are charming and identifiable thanks to their obvious eye; the quotes are deliberately chosen to fit the theme of sacrifice; the eerie, throbbing background music - as well as the quiet cricket noises signifying nighttime - help create an unsettling atmosphere that suggests something big is about to be revealed to the player. I appreciated how the shift function to zoom out and see the entire “level” was representative of seeing something bigger than yourself.
The first giant’s advice being related to baking soda and vinegar as a cleaning product (is this the same for everyone?) sort of dulled the experience, however; it was pretty mundane and sounded more like something off a lifehack listicle than the final words of someone sacrificing themselves for the advancement of their species. Perhaps the first sacrifice would have been more striking if the giant had said something more profound? When it was my turn to make the "sacrifice", though, I did end up seriously thinking what 140 character long wisdom I would impart if it were the last thing I would say before sacrificing myself for a greater cause.
Furthermore, the build up to the sacrifice of the first giant and then yourself did not involve any investment in the character, the other characters, or the species of the whole. It would be more startling to see the first sacrifice if the player lived the life of the giants, was taught their other customs, the importance of the yellow star, was able to meet with many more players and build relationships, and similar activities to invest the player into the worldbuilding. The final decision would also seem to have more personal ramifications this way; when I got there the sacrifice was more of a game progression necessity than an engaging/conflicted choice that needed to be made.