The note that the web build opens on your own site, not as an embedded itch demo, is the clarity win — it answers where Play is before someone bounces. Tiny test for the questions you listed: show the page for 20 seconds with no clicking and ask what they would type first. If two people say they would pick a dialogue option, the screenshots are still selling a visual novel.
That’s a really useful distinction, thank you. We want people to understand that they can type their own response, and I can see how the screenshots might suggest preset dialogue choices instead.
I’ll try that 20-second test. A short clip showing someone typing a reply and the character responding could make it much clearer, too. Really appreciate the practical suggestion!