Yeah, I will say the sandbox worries me. I don't want repeatable scenes or grinding stats location personally.
I think a idea could be maybe have certain events that move the story forward(Canon), which would end all other events that take place during that time, so maybe main events happen regardless, maybe in different ways, like a party that can go different paths or something else. That would advance main plot. Just an idea.
What do you mean no choice, You can turn everyone down, you don't have ro sleep with friend in slightest in a perfect marriage, at most a text or two is mandatory.