AHHHHHH THIS WAS SO FUN! (I waited to play Arc 4 before playing this, since I think that's probably the ideal order..?) It really had a little bit of something for everyone, OW fans and novices alike. It had some comedy, action, and a bit of that mind-bending horror that we all know and love. I really loved getting to see the cast interact "naturally" as it's not something we get to see much of in the main game, and it's nice seeing them bounce off each other and gives you more insight into their friend group dynamic. The use of the little text bubbles/interjections is an absolutely brilliant way of presenting the DnD; it looks SO good and smooth, while also making it really clear what is being said in and out of character.
The music and SFX choices are stunning, as always, and the sprite and CG work is so cool and dynamic! I loved the outfit designs for each of the cast and the choices for their classes, they were so fitting (I especially liked Iggy's Final Fantasy white mage outfit sdfsf). This also has to be one of the MOST brilliantly animated VNs that I've ever seen. The animations brought everything to life and I really felt immersed in the "narrative" - watching the cast fight off monsters, trek through fields and creepy corridors, etc.
==WARNING: SPOILERS FOR BOTH OW AND OFW BELOW==
The twists and turns of this game were EXCELLENT. At first you're lured into thinking that this is a prequel to OW, taking place at some undetermined time before the events of the game when the friend group was still "together" (although, in hindsight - it kind of makes sense, as it is stated in the main game that the friend group is relatively alienated prior to OW, and they likely wouldn't be playing a friendly game of DnD like this?) However, as things start to go downhill, you realize that this is actually taking place in OW's continuum - it's simply another "version" of Wonderland. The twist is brilliantly set up and executed, and it also leaves intriguing questions, as it is implied that Jerry also knows about Iggy's time looping abilities.
I find Gidget's character in this to be VERY interesting. While the others act in a way that's pretty in-line with how they act IRL (more or less), Gidget takes on the "role" of "Prince Ghent," and acts in a way that is almost completely opposed to how they act IRL or in the "Wonderland" of OW. At first you might think that it's a bit contradictory, but in the final scenes of Ghent's ending you realize that it's 100% accurate to how Gidget is characterized in the main work. In OW, Gidget is an actress, trying to play the role of what others expect, trying to be the "perfect girlfriend" and have the "perfect life." Here, Gidget is also trying to play a role; they're trying to play the perfect (tsundere?) prince, and it's clear as things are crumbling around them that this role is just as difficult for Gidget as any of the others.
I am curious how this fits into the OW canon! It does introduce Jerry, and it does imply that Iggy has at least gone through Arc 3 during Orlam's scenes. It's also implied to take place during in the middle of OW's "time looping." I'm guessing that it should take place at some point between Arc 3 and Arc 5. However, at the same time, Iggy actually reaches pretty satisfying conclusions in each of the routes. He's able to voice feelings that he hasn't been able to voice so far in the main game, and even though each ending ends "tragically," they are also relatively "happy," in my opinion. In their final moments, Iggy makes each of his friends happy by giving them what they truly want: he reciprocrates Genzou's feelings, he shows Orlam love/appreciation, and he accepts Gidget for who they truly are and not who they pretend to be. I'm assuming that these are developments that will happen in OW as well, so I am curious as to whether OFW is canon to the main story, or if it's an "alternative retelling/alternate universe."
A side note, but the sync to the music at the opening of the credits is just INCREDIBLE, I might try to screen record it so that I can rewatch it! The song is so catchy and the illustrations of the different cast members are just so COOL, the entire sequence just radiates that COOL FACTOR and looks incredibly professional!
Hats off to the dev for managing to make a game that is BOTH an exciting, comedic crowd-pleaser AND a mind-bending addition to the OW mysteries/lore!