...any comments like "is this even a game?" come up.

yes, it is a game.

it is like a visual novel, just without the visual part. you have to read it like a book ... those heavy things made out of paper your parents sometimes use ... oh they use a tablet? then your grandparents. if done well, this can be a good interactive story with many branches and replay value for someone.

if it is not your cup of tea, don't puke in the cup of others.