Oh damn, I didn't expected you to actually reply to this. I wanted to speak a little more about where I came from when I got into FVNs several years ago. by talking about Ren'py first.
To me, I see Ren'py as the RPG Maker of Visual Novels. After you learn all the tools and bullshit (mostly the ladder) that going around the engine, you can pretty much make whatever game you want through those limitations. They both have add-ons that are both official and community made that either add new mechanics and/or visual effects into the game. As well as the usual communities of people who will always help you out and tutorials online. It became more widely available for many people who couldn't afford the more expensive game engines nor have the skill set to make one themselves. And as time moves on, newer versions of RPG Maker include more standardized features while the previous versions are available to those who prefer them. Although, due to how easy it is to make multiple amount of games with just the base assets, RPG Maker is notorious for being riddle in shovelware. But that's not what to say that's all RPG Maker is. Some creators use that engine to make games that are consider cult classics, even created a new genre or 2, that both inspired other creators to tell stories that couldn't be made in mainstream. Ren'py is also that with VNs that either exploit what the engine has to offer to make very compelling narratives and uses of effects to focus more on the visual aspect. Or generally, make very compelling stories that we don't get to see or experience from simple text from books.
When I came to FVNs, I don't expect them to break boundaries from the get-go, I just want to see the kind of passion the creator want to present into their work since we lived in a time were software like these are more available to people who want to make their own stories come true. While playing around with what they can do in Ren'py To stand out more, (an Identity of it's UI, Image layering, and lighting/shades can come along the way). I see that the more recent FVNs focus more on Kinetic ( usually VNs with no split paths or branching endings) instead of making something that'll be a scopecreep down the line. Which is for the best for the creators. But the fault lies on me for being too into the FVN by checking the latest update and whatevers the new VN that day. I was expecting next FVN made by someone who's passionate about making something that's of their self. But as time goes on, I seen more cancelled projects and those that lean too close to Echo for their own good. But like any other genre of media, that's far in between and staring too much only damning your own perception of it.
Oh, Morenatsu. I know of that VN and how much of that is a big deal with the furry community. Is just that I don't get much of the appraised for it back then. But that makes a lot of sense as the approach to many FVNs back in the 2010-20's. Granted, there's probably a good reason as to why Gamma cancelled that project, way back then. As well as the other FVNs around the 2010's, which I couldn't remember much besides BlackGate, tend to not favor well either. The only FVN I recalled that managed to surpassed the type of scope Morenatsu lay out to was Extracurricular Activities. Well, it did became a fully completed VN with 5 of the character's stories finish until it just... keep going... and going... And then it going in a direction I don't vibe with since he also rewrite a bunch of the old parts of the game just for an excused for the more recent build... But I digress.
But I take your word, MinoAnon. I should just moved on to this new era FVNs to rekindle my loved again. That Land of Ghron looks promising to check out. I'll look forward to the new survey at the end of the year, and with a lighter view of FVN down the road.