Hi! I played the first part of arc 5 and wanted to give you feedback! So, for anyone else reading this, I guess there will be spoilers, so beware (?????)
So, I've been through a lot of emotions but the more it went on, the more... optimistic I got about the destiny of the characters. I don't know what to pinpoint to convey this, but in short: despite Wonderland being in full chaos this time, there was something particularly... wholesome? Of course, the end of the part is comfortingly positive, but I do think this part was so far the funniest one of Wonderland! I burst out laughing many times (and yet, you didn't fail to break my heart... but somehow, even Cecil's death... I knew it was to "conclude" Gidget's arc).
First thing first, let's talk about the beginning of the part: it really was interesting to see Genzou and Iggy be absolutely horrified and traumatised by what they had been through. A lot of media expose characters to horrendous things and often fail to portray the traumatism it might cause so I'm glad it was there. And seeing Iggy and Genzou rise from their pain to confront Wonderland one last time was a nice touch of optimism and, let's say it, heroism!
Also, Iggy's development is interesting: I still have in my mind those flashbacks during Arc 1's death, where Iggy erases himself from existence and I couldn't wait to see the moment he would take accountability (at least, to Gidget and Orlam, although Genzou has to be the one doing the most work here; I do agree the Genzou situation was an accident, and that, although he didn't try in my opinion to consider fully Bucks' struggle, he really cannot be held guilty of anything regarding her marriage with Hunar). I also hope other characters take accountability (for instance, although Iggy wronged them first, I do think Gidget owes A MASSIVE LOAD of apologies to Iggy, at the very least!!!).
Now, regarding Gidget... OH MY GOD, this was sooooo good???? I loved it so much???? The use of spiders as a "perfect" mother figure (only for its ability to hatch a lot of eggs) was an unexpected but really clever metaphor?? What a clever way to show a horrific vision of ultra-feminity, especially when imposed on trans men?? And even so, having their leg penetrating Iggy while trying to maintain "feminity"?? The contrast???? The intelligence??????????????? I saw the amazing spider fanart you received before playing this part (and read the arachnophobia trigger warning) and was expected Gidget to indeed grow spider legs but HOLY GOLLY, the bar was high after arc 4, which I really loved, and you exceeded my expectations! I can't emphasise enough how much I LOVED it! Fortunately I don't suffer from arachnophobia, but GEEZ, that was AMAZING!!!! That really was the peak of psychological horror for me, a perfect symbiosis between horrifying imagery and the depiction of a tormented mind!! Truly, a lesson in the genre! Really, words are not enough to express how much I LOVED the Gidget's part of this... first part, this was AMAZING!
It was also interesting seeing Gidget trying at first to reach feminity in another way they did before: while they at first attended to reach feminity by being desirable in the eyes of a man (i.e. poor little asexual not even heteroromantic Iggy), I think, this time, it was more about trying to gain "independence" from Iggy's gaze by... meeting social norms (cf. the TV shows Iggy watched in the bedroom)?
So, I guess this is getting kinda long lmao so I'll stop ranting, but long story short: OH MY, that was good, and that's an understatement! Thank you for this amazing gameplay experience!!