Thanks for the feedback, Human, I wish I joined your server earlier so I had time to make use of it. I'll definitely refine the exploring a bit if I decide to continue this story. I actually wanted to do loads more things but had to cut a lot of ideas as the deadline drew closer. It's a good thing I stopped where I did :)
The choices you make throughout don't have much impact on the story other than different dialogue, the choice at the end is the only one that changes things drastically. You can actually save just before the major decision if you'd like to experience both endings.