This game is in conversation with other art in a way that is unique and (for me at least) extremely effective. Saying more would be spoilers, but I thought this should be here, because it's not obvious from the beginning that you're in for that kind of a thing.
I am not your average player of IF, it's true. The fact that this game is my favorite IF ever does not mean that it is exceptional in the ways you would expect an IF to be exceptional. The puzzles are solid, but not amazing, the plot is fun but trivial, the interface is not buggy or anything, but it doesn't do anything exciting. But the concept is so utterly wonderful that (english) words do not describe it. You'll simply have to play it.