Disclamer, i guess. These are just my own thoughts. I don't mean any hate and hope it does come accross as constructive criticism. I second guess myself on this as i always feel like i 'sound' like an ass when i type.
To begin with your scope was way off, your 12 options from the start was 3 separate VNs. But then to also make it that you would be writing a complete DnD campaign along with 4 individual routes. It was FAR too much. The general route honestly could have just been the first DnD session. It introduced the characters and their personality, which is all the general route needs to do. You can then choose who you want to persue. It would have been easier for you to then skim over any DnD actions focusing on the MC's relationship with your chosen route. It would cut down on the count and keep things more concise.
Projects can work without focusing on high quality art. Password for instance, Grizz straight up said that doing full coloured CGs would slow down development and did a patreon poll to see if everyone would be fine with just sketches. I don't remember the exact amount but it was around 80% picked sketches, because the writing and story carried the VN.
I think you over estimate your writing. Even in this post: "I went into this with the belief that what was missing in the marketplace was more serious writing. More focus on craft and prose." - Because all these other VNs are so inferior, shallow and of such low quality. They don't care about the 'ART' of writing. Your writing style is... very stilted and sound clinical. Even when the characters have casual conversations it sound pretentious, like a conversation about the weather is a deep philosophical exploration. It's awkward and feels unnatural.
Honestly, 'pretentious' best describes the feeling of your writing.
I enjoyed my time reading the VN, getting passed the off awkwardness, and Gin's overly 'twitter'? like behaviours. I'm not sure what the right word for it is, but just the preachy 'you need consent for everything, always. Want to hold hands? You must ask consent, always.' Like how many times do you walk down the street, or sit in the park people watching and hear anyone who're together stop and formally ask "May i hold your hand?" Like after the first time, you simply do it because you care for each other and it's a way of showing affection. Unless the other person tells you the first time they don't do physical displays of affection or like holding hands.
However even though i enjoyed the VN, i did often find my mind and attention wandering to other things, or just find myself doing other things when i'm supposed reading it. The proplems with the writing just made it unable to hook me or hold my attention for extended periods of time. Usually taking me a few days to get through an update.
Again, i mean no hate in what i have said. I enjoyed the VN and hope you find success in your future projects. I'll still be following and giving what you put out a read.