Yes, I love the ability to decide who I sleep with and when, it adds more each scene than if I played them from a gallery or they played in story order.
Generally yep, they're nice and make the game feel more like an interactive world, which in turn make the LIs feel more meaningful. Still, if you're in the VN primarily for quick results, I can understand why people would feel annoyed at their inclusion.
I like them. Aurelia set the tone for AVNs to me and so it always feels like something's missing when it's straight kinetic or choice-based linearity.
i enjoy the freedom that comes with sandbox elements because it enables you to become immersed by kinda experiencing the story in your own way therefore making the sexy parts better