i think something about this universe that really makes both itself and each game stand out is how everything changes depending on the protagonist. even when the events, world and characters are the same, the way the narration and descriptions show how the main character(s) view it is always incredibly intriguing and it gives a new perspective on everything, and since no two protagonists feel exactly the same, it's really fun finding out what deranged shit will come out of their thoughts haha. each game that takes place in this city feels almost like you're hearing a testimony from each character; they only talk about the things they know, they sprinkle in their own thoughts and experiences, and while you can easily piece together the greater narrative... the way everything is presented makes it feel like you're hearing diverse self-contained stories, so it never feels boring! it's really impressive how well this universe is crafted and interwoven, and how each game still manages to feel unique :D
ok now in terms of this specific game, damn that was a trip!!
(SPOILERS)
a criminal power couple fits this world like a glove lol. adalyn and evan are extremely fun, from the first scene to the last. adalyn's (literal) taste for blood and morbid thoughts, evan's gentleman-like attitude with helping with murder, and both's complete lack of empathy towards anyone else other than themselves were incredibly amusing. but what makes them stand out a lot (aside from the game's gleefully graphic descriptions and visuals of their hijinks, which are also fun as hell) is that aside from everything crime related they're just... kind of a normal couple. when they have a conversation about their future (even if said future is changing their names because they're literal murderers), or helping each other with something, the way they talk makes it clear that they care for each other and their future child. obviously i'm not saying "tHeYrE kIlLeRs bUt tHeY lOvE eAcH oThEr sO tHaT mEaNs tHeYrE gOoD", but it does show the normal in their crazy; they genuinely believe their mentality and actions are fine, so there's no reason they wouldn't act like normal people outside of that. i think it's really interesting how this game shows the surprising depth of seemingly "jokey" characters.
speaking of jokes, wow this was a goddamn riot XD the last game i played from yours was bedrot so it's nice to get something more lighthearted haha. the asshole cashier, the extremely sudden burst into violence, adalyn's comments about how appetizing the blood seems, evan's lack of shock towards everything except adalyn being pregnant, how easily adalia convinces her mother to get poison for her... this is definitely one of the funniest games in the series, and the goofy tone is a nice contrast with how dire the other games can get :>
a liminace game has good art? in other news: water is wet (srsly tho, the art was amazing and everything looks great! love how the tilesets have small details like dust spots or slightly off-center objects, really goes to show how much detail was put into the presentation. and the character design and CGs are incredible! adalyn and evan look both conventionally and unsettingly good looking, if that makes sense. and it feels like with each game the character art is even more polished; the expressions, posing, and level of detail are top notch. and this isn't exclusive to this game but i love the use of colors to emphasize the characters' emotions! overall this game is a MARVEL to look at)
i feel like there could've been one more map and/or walking segment at the end, even if it didn't have any puzzles, so there's a small breathing room in between the dialogue and CGs (idk how much time you had to make this game tho. maybe setting the conversation between adalia and his husband with sprites and a map instead of CGs could've worked? or maybe that would've been even more time consuming idk lmao). and idk how valid this point is cuz i haven't played TCPC chapter 4 yet but... the goofiness of adalia's parents felt slightly at odds with how seriously her actions are treated in TCPC. i understand that it makes sense for a character who's evil in such an over the top way that the people who raised her are also evil in an over the top way, but it almost felt like having fun with adalyn and evan's horrible actions was an indication that the player didn't have to take adalia's too seriously (obviously adalia and TCPC aren't humorless, and again i haven't played chapter 4 yet, these are just my impressions of this game and the first three chapters). maybe if adalyn and evan ashlyn and everett weren't her parents, but her ancestors, explaining the behavior of the whole family tree while still keeping some distance between adalia and these two's goofiness? that would probably have taken a lot of rewriting though lol.
overall this was great!! a really fun ride that both successfully explains one of the character's past, and also makes you really fear for what's to come. now if you'll excuse me, i shall finish this review and take a break over some delicious castor bean tea 🍵