Depends. To me meaningfull choices are important, not those "gameover" choice branches but an actual change in the narrative and relationships. About gameplay, and correct me if I'm wrong it as been years. In Deviant Anomalies, I really liked the investigation "gameplay", solving a mystery by collecting clues, samples and other evidence to further questioning the witnesses. It enganged me more than those deliberate cock blocking grindfest mini games, and honestly I rather get harrased by captcha than "play" those cock deflating, short story stretching vn's.
I will always pick a good story over gameplay most of the time sandbox type feel like a waste of time. As for games that actually play like games they offend take 2 hands.
The previews of the characters is one of the biggest reason to check out a game. But story and gameplay are important to stick to the game and play it to the end.
I like to indulge me into the story and feel place myself into the characters.
Largely depends on the type of game. A VN doesn't need game modes if the story is good enough, and even if the game mode is good it is usually just a distraction from the good stuff.
But, yeah. If there is a point to having some gameplay, then yes it makes it really important that it's there and that it is good.
Depends on the game, some games I enojoy the game play and working towards the goal, DmD. others the straight to it. A game like A house in the Rift has the closest balance of both in my opinion. some characters you gotta work a bit more others not so much highly recommend.
I guess the gameplay can be fun but I still like games without gameplay. I will say, a game that doesn’t have gameplay will never be my favorite game, however that doesn’t mean it can’t be very high in my favorites list.
To explain, my current favorite game series is Rance, possibly even not just based on h games, I mean I enjoy that series way beyond the h elements (can’t wait for rance x). That said, as long as the kinetic novel fits my kinks, I don’t really care too much if it has gameplay or choices even.
I like a good balance of both. There's really no point in having sex scenes if there's no build up to them. But also too much gameplay in between scenes can get boring.
Gameplay and storylines which built up to the carnal urges slow are the best. I always notice when the DEV is still very young and skips the story for the quick(ie).