I think your opinion makes a lot of sense, although I believe the alternative I have in the game now also makes sense. It's all a matter of perspective.

Right now, I think that the way the game over is forced even with pending power-ups is a way to push the player to organize themselves better and compete with a more strategic approach.

In other words, the player has to decide between the dilemma of using the power-ups before feeling cornered or using them when they're in dire straits.

I play by using them a step before feeling cornered, and that way I avoid reaching game over with pending abilities. Either way, it's an interesting debate, and I really appreciate your point of view.