Does gear choice matter? Yes. You can choose not to wear clothes, or you can wear clothes from sites like [redacted]. Both are fine.
Does the story allow for meaningful roleplay and choices? Yes. Your choice is to watch or skip.
Does the gameplay contain puzzles? Yes, mainly choosing which other game you're going to play once you beat FFXIV.
Do party members have their own motivations and conflicts? Yes. Do you give a comm to the naked catgirl or the naked femra?
Does it have a complex world that responds to player choice? Hell yes! Just check out the Quicksand on Balmung. There's a whole world filled with player choices. Do you choose the well-endowed equestrian-inspired Viera, or the equally well-endowed canine-inspired catgirl?
Does the combat require strategic thinking? Absolutely. How will you use the term "moist" multiple times in the span of five minutes without sounding repetitive?