On top of seconding Monster Prom, I've liked Variable Barricade. Very romcom setup where the viewpoint character's goal is to dodge her suitors.

Studio Élan authors some lovely queer VNs like Heart of the Woods and Please Be Happy, but they're even less sim-ish and more just romantic stories.

As in visual novels with romantic elements, or more sim-like games with stats and schedule balancing and such?

2025 picks:

I've been digging Abrams' "Kana" label, specifically "Eden of Witches", for their form factor. Little tankobon-sized volumes with dust jackets that make for classy travel buddies.

Also: ohuton's multidimensional sci-fi trip "Seaside Beta" made for an exceptional manga club discussion.

I disagree with your premise

I'd be less annoyed if they had done this years ago when they initially pushed their rent-seeking model instead of *checks notes* nine years after the fact.

A universal feeling.