In our world the suffering is systematic as well, however there is always kindness to be found, especiall from those that know suffering themselves.The theme of misery and suffering is systemic, and it is not for you and your Lona to change. The island cannot be saved. However, you can influence local tragedies, rescue a few people and, more importantly, save yourself. This is a personal story. Destination: protect your Lona. The game tells you directly to leave the island. When you do, you will have saved at least one life, Lona's, in a sea of suffering.
You are not the hero of the island. You are the hero of Lona. Go and try to protect her smile.
Seeing what ALL the people I have met in the game are like, makes me think that empathy simply does not exist in that world. Leaving the island doesn't really change Lonas situation, unless there is an explanation later on for why this is a localized phenomenon.
I like grim dark settings, but it needs levity and triumph, even if only temporary, just as much as it needs the misery. I prefer some ups and downs in my fiction, so just slogging numbly through a mire of suffering is exactly what drove me away from this game. I want to like this game for its mechanics and art, so I was hoping that there is some positivity to be found, so I could motivate myself to keep playing.