The Time Princess app recently added a new type of visual novel that has gotten a lot of pushback from players. Traveler's Notes stories are quite possibly the most unanimously disliked new feature in the game. These stories contain fewer clothing items and no companion relics, which have enhanced the player experience in Time Princess since it began. Although I played the first Traveler's Notes visual novel, I didn't bother writing about it because there was nothing in it that piqued my interest. The new one, Alice: Ideal Wonderland, is inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, a story that is often considered a fairy tale and sometimes even a Disney Princess story. Although it isn't one of my favorite fairy tales, the Once Upon a Time in Wonderland series that it inspired in 2013 is one of my favorite television shows of all time. There are so many different ways to interpret this story that there's usually something in it for everyone.
Like many
Alice in Wonderland retellings, Alice: Ideal Wonderland strays away from the Lewis Carroll novel in favor of an older Alice with more potential for romance. The two love interests are the Mad Hatter and a human version of the Cheshire Cat. This version of Alice finds herself in Wonderland after following a white rabbit in search of her sister, Lily, after she disappeared from a party. The designs and story are closer to
Tim Burton's 2010 theatrical version of Alice in Wonderland. In both of these adaptations, the characters in Wonderland acknowledge Alice's world as a place that they are aware of, and both stories involve a conflict between two sisters who are
queens. Instead of a Red Queen and a White Queen, Alice: Ideal Wonderland features a Black Queen and a White Queen, which is a more literal interpretation of the playing pieces on a chess board. Ideal Wonderland is named after the White Queen's attempt to create a utopia where everything is perfect after banishing her sister, the Black Queen. Alice's job is to bring about change and return Wonderland to its original chaotic state so everyone can get back their freedom.
The Mad Hatter and Cheshire Cat's backstories in this version are different from other interpretations. They are devoid of their usual humor and mystery so they can offer a more traditional romance for Alice. The Mad Hatter is an adventurer who wants to explore Alice's world but feels stuck following the rigid rules that the White Queen set in place for her Ideal Wonderland. The Cheshire Cat or "Gentleman Cat" is a magician whose family worked for the queen. His cat-like features came from a mistake on a transformation potion that he was never able to fix. He is very dapper and acts like a traditional Victorian gentleman. Unlike the characters from the original novel or other companions in the Time Princess's stories, these two love interests are rather shallow and serve only the most basic requirements to provide romance for Alice. Because of this, it's pretty easy to get a happy ending with either one of them without having to go back to previous chapters and changing a lot of decisions.
Since this is a Traveler's Notes story, implying minimal effort on the part of the game developers, there are only two outfits available throughout the visual novel. However, I was pleased with the quality of these two ethereal fantasy gowns inspired by Victorian fashion. One outfit is based on the White Queen and contains gorgeous regal jewelry, a grand sweeping white ballgown with glittering adornments, and a floating chessboard accessory. The other, which is made of single-piece items, is a more traditional Alice dress. Because Alice is aged up in this story, the dress is a full gown that would be typical of women from this period. It includes lace-up boots, stunning jewelry, and a choice between a white bonnet or a bluebonnet crown. Though they were few in quantity, I was so happy with the lovely aesthetic of these dresses that I wish this story could have been a full visual novel to unlock even more similar-looking outfits.
Alice: Ideal Wonderland, the new Traveler's Notes story in the Time Princess app, offers a unique and visually stunning interpretation of the classic
Alice in Wonderland tale. While it deviates from the original story and lacks the depth of previous visual novels in the game, its ethereal fantasy gowns and romantic storyline make for an enjoyable experience. The two love interests, the Mad Hatter and the Cheshire Cat, provide a traditional romance for Alice, and the story's themes of freedom and change add a thought-provoking layer to the narrative. Although the story is somewhat shallow and lacks the complexity of other Time Princess visual novels, its beauty and charm make it a worthwhile play. Hopefully, future updates will bring more substance and depth to the Traveler's Notes stories, but for now, Alice: Ideal Wonderland is a delightful addition to the game.
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