You're right, HSoA is decent but it is a knockoff DS for when you are desperate. Absolutely agree about DS having tendency to ruin others. It has basically everything I ever wanted in AVN and doesn't try to punish me for having fun (we can save those punishments for Asha
).
Regarding your wish for longer updates, I hope you don't mean longer development cycles because that is one of the things that sets DS apart. While almost every other top rated game is now going for 1 update per year, DS is consistent at 3-4 months which is perfect. Once you start getting to 6mo then hype and excitement begin to fade. At 1 year mark, I can't even remember all the choices I made or who everyone is. I am quite content to stick with DS's current 3-4mo thank you.