A harem is not just the MC having a relationship with all LIs at the same time, it's having a known relationship with LIs at the same time, one girl knows you're dating another and is okay with that, another girl knows you're dating two girls at the same time already and is fine being the third. Perhaps there's even a scene with several or all of the LIs involved, whether they're going at it with each other or just waiting their turn.
As for not closing off paths I think it would be silly to just have all the scenes available no matter what choice you make, because at that point why are you even making choices? Why is it a sandbox game? Why not just a visual novel with a more clear cut story if you're just going to make everything available in whatever jumbled order the player goes through?
Sandbox games inherently make you make choices, and those choices should matter, otherwise what's the point of them?
As for not closing off paths I think it would be silly to just have all the scenes available no matter what choice you make, because at that point why are you even making choices? Why is it a sandbox game? Why not just a visual novel with a more clear cut story if you're just going to make everything available in whatever jumbled order the player goes through?
Sandbox games inherently make you make choices, and those choices should matter, otherwise what's the point of them?