It's said that any interaction like a choice in a novel is basically classed as a game, because you choose which why it will end
There are loads of hybrid VN,s too those have to be classed as games
"Reload" for example is a hybrid VN, it has game play like an RPG as well as being a novel
Not all VN's have choices, some are just read through novels, but you still have to advance the text & voices with your keyboard or mouse (interaction), So i have no answer either way! (for this later on read through's)
I got to say for most part with the music, voices, backgrounds (some are also ani