Taking on your comment that people playing the game found the changes in style jarring (which seems to be the main concern) Is this something that could be made clear upfront in the setup/story for the game?
The reason I say this is that I suspect most people found it jarring because they are used to a consistent style and so will expect it unless told beforehand. If you knew that different worlds and looks were involved (if the very lack of consistency could be promoted as a feature of the game) then I suspect it would probably come across much better.
I loved the stuff as well by the way. I wasn't sure about the boat when you approached it but when you said it was part of "kid's world" then it fit in (see, it really is less jarring when there's an explanation for it.
)
Good accent as well. I think I almost recognised the town where you live. I have at least known towns very like it.
