The problem with this entire project was the lack of spinal fortitude from the devs. They allowed all the complaints and negativity to yank them to and fro and in the end, no one was very happy. A note to anyone considering making an AVN, or a piece of artwork, or a song, or whatever....make it for you, hold onto your vision and thumb your nose at everyone else. You will never make everyone happy--just do it.
I would add the caveat - this kind of "design by committee", while artistically vacant,
can be possible and produce enjoyable games.
However, it also requires a certain kind of dev mentality who's willing to "let the ship go where the wind takes it" - and through numerous updates it's clear to me this wasn't this dev. Yes, there was a lot of negativity and feedback, some of which the dev acted on, but in a half-assed way.
So while I don't disagree with you, probably either route would have been preferable - the dev staying committed to his vision, or a willingness to be extremely flexible with the narrative and tone. Practically I imagine the first option as a Steph being more deceptive; ultimately the game sating ntr enthusiasts. I imagine the second as it becoming more of a light-hearted swingerfest.
It's current implementation is a bizarre amalgamation of the two - which is part of why complaints have persisted.