Some of this conversation is perhaps moot, considering any prior claims to artistic value in DMD have likely been squelched due to the Patreon-induced reduction in production scope.
That's not a cop-out, though: it's always been a curious blend of walk-through and titillating choices/paths for the player with some interesting buildup on the notion of how the emotional balloon of (adult)child-parent reunion would fallout after it has popped. This isn't high literature, it's an adult visual game with sex and all. But, it has some curious options we don't often find in other games that do make it stand out, I feel.
From what we've seen, the path of gradual, MC-influenced, D-naivety-enabled romance has grown from the ashes of both characters having cycles of self-doubt over their parallel, budding feelings of mutual (but originally questionable) attractions. In most of the VNs with shared genres that I've seen, the leap into sex between relatives is far more jarring and hormonal.
That this story has grown like a slow, reluctant - but inevitable - case story for the theory of Genetic Sexual Attraction is interesting, partly because we've also been given "side show" outlets of supporting characters to potentially relieve the tension and anxiety potentially felt as we experience the slow evolution of our two protagonists. Heck, some people care as much (or even more) about Elena than D! Yet, if you look at this tale's path, it's D and MC who have evolved the most: from budding admiration and ill-fitting attractions - with self-analyses which originally fought to contain their inner urges - into a full-fledged, romantic couple on a mission of love - the rest of the world be damned. Yet, the rest of the world is either for them or against them, no in-betweens . . . because others have not forgotten they are related, even though the couple evidently has put that well behind themselves and view that reality as more of an inconvenience than anything of great moral or legal significance to otherwise address.
So, no: it's not *great* literature. But, it's a fun VN and somewhat unique in its development compared to others I have played, with a still-compelling storyline. It's not made of the best characterizations nor the worst, but as a first effort by MrDots' production house, a neat gem with which to start out a potential business. I like the characters and the roles they play, warts in their dialogue + some choices (especially by D) and all. It's fantasy with *just enough* suspension of disbelief to keep us entertained, perhaps.
Again, if MrDots or others made grand claims early on to the level of artistry we'd experience, at least some of that has surely been lost as the story necessarily used the separation as catalyst for taking their warming romance and newfound physicality to the next level of longing to become life-affirming desire - perhaps purposefully, as that's a real stage in real-world romances. Maybe it would have happened later if there was more time, possibly delayed by more conflicts that a longer production schedule could allow. But, as stated here many times over, we lost a potential Chapter 3 that could have explored the ramifications of this "wild love" stage and how it may/may not be GSA-related through self-inflicted hardships between them and by D finding a larger world by virtue of having newly widened lenses to focus on such, for example. So, some choices had to be made in getting to the meat of the primary path faster, while still integrating ancillary characters with some reasonable hardships to maintain suspense along the way. At least, that's my guess
The rest of any high-fallutin' claims made? Eh, marketing and honest hopes, I figure. I wouldn't hold that against people if we're otherwise entertained and have things to debate and/or look forward to with each release. While each of us has their own standards when it comes to these games, I feel that each chapter needs to have meaning and advance the storylines adequately for our speculations to remain high and hopes to remain afloat. It would be great if that can continue to the end, because all this discussion means we remain interested in what may occur in the next installment.
