Really? I prefer the cast in 999. Alice is fucking annoying as hell, Luna is dull. Sigma is dumb and so on. The only person I like is Phi. Also this game is a bit of a let down for me. I mean, I prefer the style of 999, it was creepy. When someone was stabbed, I was shocked, in this game it's kind of expected, like you know when someone is going to die. Also VLR has a lot less blood than 999, it's retarded. It doesn't creep me out at all. 999 had everything perfect for me, even the setting was perfect. In here, I wish they didn't choose a building or whatever, it's too gray and dull looking. Dont get me wrong, it's a good game, but I prefer 999 so far in every way, better cast too.
Also, I've come to the conclusion that I somehow play this game better when I'm drunk. So far I've solved two rooms I get stuck in when I'm drunk. I don't remember how I solve them or even remember what the puzzles were. Like just now, I woke up to find I somehow solved the PEC room. No idea what the puzzles were... but eh.
I agree about the "shock" factor on 999, especially the scenes involving snake but tbh i wasnt really expecting this to be a "creepy" game, i just wanted it to be a good story and in 999 i found myself only saying "WTF" maybe 2-3 times, in this game i was like "WTF" to every single ending or plot twist, thats what kept me interested and determined to keep playing to the end.
As for the cast, i dont see what was so memorable about them in 999, aside from snake and santa, i dont remember anyone being that interesting, this game however i found myself constantly wondering about the motivations of most of the cast, i agree alice is prolly the least interesting character in this game but the same cant be said for any of the others imo.
Also if drinking helps you solve puzzles, make sure you stock up with plenty of booze for the very last puzzle room. Trust me.