I believe there was a poll in japanese twitter about how people play otome visual novels. And the two ways that are self-insert and angel-watching-over-the-shoulder are very close in popularity. There was a third one or something but I don't remember.
Personally I don't feel self-insert a lot.
I do like a little gameplay, but the most important thing that a game needs to get down first is the story. Also, LaD selling point was never its combat system. I believe because it was because of the companionship and the fact that it is the first to have 3D models.
Deep voices are nice but for me the feeling of soft voice being mean, like Lohen from Genshin (Amasaki Kohei please get more of these roles it’s so rare) is pure bliss.