Since you guys talk about the HB party, I wonder if you would like to see this kind of event again in the game or it is too bothering?
Because v0.26 will have something "similar" but with a little more obvious choices I'd say.
I like a straight on-rails-narrative. In these games, "choice" makes me feel like I am missing out. I know the goal is often, "replay value" but once I hit one ending, I rarely go back. So, the end result is me just missing content and feeling frustrated or left-out or something... I can't quite express.
That said, as long as you keep your gallery unlocker as you have it, I can see it all and not feel like I missed out. Best of both worlds.
The only other reason I would vote for less branching pathways is if it means faster updates. This is a weirdly selfish answer that only considers the short-term and not the end product and however you plan to market/sell this bad boy, if that is even a goal (or you just doing the Patreon subscription model).