I think that a game should be more than just pure combat, right? Take fates for an example, the game play is stellar, Conquest is arguable the hardest game to play, however, Corrin as a MC just doesn't work. He/She arguably aren't a good main character due to the lack of the story writing, and the fact they have no specific character development. I wouldn't count choosing their side as character development. Also lets look at Three Houses, I think that Three Houses is a good game because of the character (excluding Byleth). All lords have their distinctive goals, which makes the story so much better, I guess that isn't really character development, however one Blue Lions route is filled with excellent character which really, in my opinion, make that route much better.
