Standard? sure but not every AVN game is this way. I can't name any here, but I've played over 100+ AVNs so, I know what I am talking about. I think it also depends on the AVNs you are playing.
Really? I didn't get that feeling of "Friend zoning people" at all. Just the opposite. Forced to choose between people or forced into a sexual situation or etc. Again, can you play this game avoiding everyone? or are you forced down someone's path/a situation? I get some games will force you while others let you finish the whole game without you ending up with a LI.
It's all good though. The game is just not for me. Not every game is meant for everyone, after all.
Haven't played that many, probably around 20-30? But to be fair I totally understand a story that needs to be driven in a certain direction (well unless it's just a lewd scene generator kind of VN hehe), that's also why there's usually main LIs and side LIs.
I'm probably 200% wrong, and if not yet might be proved wrong with future updates, but if I have to list who the main LIs are in Intertwined (also considering the name of the game):
And that's the leitmotif of this VN, which is good, again at the very high risk of been proven wrong, Valeria doesn't fit into that mold, so I'd consider her as a side LI, and as such (so far) it seemed a bit too forced.
I'll close it here because I'm repeating myself and as I said, everyone's due their own opinion.
