A Japanese VN sounds good but I think it's cause I'm used to watch anime and play JRPG since child. When I find a western VN that have voices it's usually a AI. What makes it awfull. A robot without soul. In this cases, mute all.
I like this game, but it is sad to see how slowly gets updates. And this "rework" it's even more frustrating. It will take 7 years until the game reaches the content that was in the old versions
Interesting, I have seen a lot of type of games, metroidvanias, shooters like left 4 dead, survivals like Don't Starve, but hack and slash games in 3d not.
You can try Mad Island and try different experiences to build a campament. For example, all inhabitants in your campament can be the same family, you can be the father or mother of all. But not sure if thats is the type of game that you are looking for, it's a bit grinding and survival.
I don't object against the option of having the entire gallery unlocked by default, but I like more the idea of unlocking the gallery by reaching certain point. For example, if you reach chapter 2, you have all gallery from chapter 1 unlocked.
If the search is not too grindy and the collectibles are not missable. I think it is ok. I hate when you lost 1 object that was in 1 frame and you have to play again all the game cause you forgot 10 years later.
I prefer sandbox over VN. Except if the sandbox is done poorly, like too much grinding, or without information about how to play or what to do to advance through the game. I detest that type of sandbox.