I'm not getting into the art vs writing debate because I don't really care about which is better, I enjoy visual novels as a whole. I also think everyone's preferences will be different and that's fine by me. To take a page out of Austin Kleon's book: Make good art. Write good writing. Compose good music. Make good VNs, then share it with people. This also relates to what I want to ask next.
To the people, if you're still here, who are dissatisfied with the quality of stories that are popular:
What are you doing about it?
Besides talking about it in a thread of course? Take the initiative. If you see a game you think deserves more attention, go comment it up in their thread. Encourage that person and share their work with others. Write a good review of the game and link to it. Someone mentioned making an Unappreciated Game of the Month thread, well I think that's a great idea. The problem with complaining about something you don't like that is popular is that, well, in fact, it's a lot easier than doing something to help the things you do like that aren't.
This also ties in with what people have said about negative vs positive/constructive criticism.
Let's say I put this up in the Art section and for some reason a lot of people love it:
Clearly this is not the best art and sure you can just come in and say you hate it and it's the worst thing ever, but what would that accomplish? There's every chance I'll ignore you because you offended me and gave me no good reason why I should listen to you. Maybe my supporters will even take it upon themselves to defend me. It certainly won't inspire me to do something different just because you don't like it. Now if you did this:
i.e. complimented some parts that were good and offered advice on how I could approve, I'd be much more inclined to listen to you. In fact, it also shows me that you cared enough to make an effort to help me. The same thing applies to writing. Complaining is always easier than actually helping people. In the end of the day, it will be more productive to promote (good) things you like than try and prevent other people liking (inferior) things you don't.
So ends another GeneDNC late comment when everyone else’s probably moved on already.
Also, OTL, sincerest apologies to Auro-Cyanide for butchering some of her art.