I finally found a ruleset that is very simple (and reasonable), yet allows for extremely sparse grids with completely logical solve paths. You don’t need any bifurcation or lookaheads for this puzzle.
It does require a few layers of insights about these rules though, so if you’re completely stumped on how to get started, here is a hint.
I suspect the grid could be even bigger while still using only four shaded cells, and these rules enable a bunch of other interesting deductions that this puzzle doesn’t make use of.
Rules: Draw a non-intersecting loop through the centres of all empty cells.
Variant: Kiki — All turns must be sharp.