I think it's better when the MC isn't faceless and has a proper design, because it makes the story feel more alive. Having a voiced protagonist is also a big plus. The MC is a central figure in the story's world, so they should be given the best characterization possible.
I agree with what a lot of people here are saying. If a game forces you to play every day and spend money every month on a repeating gacha system, then you should stop. I switched back to playing VNs or reading LNs because they offer more flexibility.
Honestly, if the story's good and you're enjoying it, a long common route isn't a big deal. As long as each part has meaningful details and isn't just filler, that's what really boosts the score, since a lot of stories usually end up with plot holes.