What gameplay keeps you invested?
To be honest I think VNs excel at sex scenes, if they're done well. A lot of the 2D artists seem to get that and a focus on story helps, even if the story can't stand on it's own without putting boobs on the screen to hold your attention.
From memory:
Free cites.
Lab rats 2.
Superpowered.
Station master.
Erakoh.
Evil guards of the merchant disctrict.
Hentai highschool+
Basic.
I enjoy management games.
I enjoy manipulating stats.
I dont understand the appeal of visual novels.
It is just an(often poorly done) story where you better of skiping to the sex scene.
Might as while just watch a hentai or porn.
Same results less effort.
Skyrim is played to this day.
Sims is still populair.
Factorio sold massive copies.
Games are interactive.
You have control over the outcome.
Even if the story is unchanging.
An example:
Urge to molest and its sequal has very simple risk management gameplay.
Good dialog, Good sex.
But the thing that kept me invested is the feeling of risk.
And my skill to rape her without being caught.
Lab rats 2 allows for massive change's to personality, looks and skill.
Via the use of potions and pursation.
In free cities i can make everything from sociaty that things slave's are expendable.
To a sociaty that thinks female family shoud all be well taking care of slaves.
In superpowered you change how some scenes go based on stats.
In skyrim i can be a mage, a stealth archer, a idiot who runs into melee.
In sims i can have kids, raise them, have an affair, be a loyal husband, Be a succsefull wizard, etc.
I can create whatever(none criminal) life i want.
Space engineers has me do nothing but build, redisgned and rebuild ships.
No reason other then i can.
But it is fun because i build something.
Learn what i did wrong and improve upon the design.
