yeah, it was very "free", very tough to follow. You could try adjusting the game into a similar game of multiple choices ( say A,B,C, or D ) where each action you choose determines what happens to your character and the storyline. That would be easier to follow more fun and certainly easier to play online.
can also try a default option whereby if one player does not respond within a certain time, that option is taken - which obviously will be unfavorable. Then the player who fails to respond can resume playing from that predicament but if he/she continuously fails to respond, then that will lead to his/her eventual exit. So the story continues either way.
What do you think about these ideas? That would make the game more fluent and fun. As for the content & story line, well, I'm sure you have something planned right? It can only take some minor adjustments...common, don't give up on the game yet!