The shoestrings were novel but the 2player game was a bit dry because it lacked strategic elements.   Like Toody said I'd definitely would try it again with 5 before I deliver the coup the gras on the game box and douse the remaining contents in cleansing fire to ward away the Japanese evil spirits.

Rood and I have made zero progress on our game, sadly.  We submitted our game design to a company who at first were quite interested in our concept.  Then they never called back.  According to the company, they wanted a game to be play tested by at least 100 people or have positive feedback on BGG.  So even though they say prototype, they really meant a completed out-of-box finished game because I can't see a prototype having substantial value to playtesters.