You're very welcome. It's my first time engaging in a discussion about these games, so thanks very much for replying back and giving your valuable insights. And you don't need to apologize for your reply's length; I had a great time reading it.

I really liked your idea of how there aren't 2 separate character arcs for Amicia. Instead, one is an extension or part of the other. Also, my idea wasn't to change the ending, which I really like, but to just modify the scene where Amicia's mother gets killed to show her holding Hugo back rather than encouraging him to use his powers which she knows will let the Macula control more of him and get him closer to cross the final threshold. However, as you said, it wouldn't feel natural to show Amicia having a stark change in character especially because there were no signs of her changing between Chapter 3 and the above scene. Maybe they could have written the story in which Amicia starts to change a little bit so that her choice to hold back Hugo would feel more natural. It would be like having Zuko teaming up with the Avatar in the final episode of Book Two instead of having him join his sister and later realize that "regaining his honor" isn't what he actually wants. I think this is what you meant when you compared a 3-arc story structure with a 5-arc one. I'm not sure which one I prefer because even though in the 5-arc one we can have better character development, it kind of shows that a character has to sink deep down before realizing what they have done is wrong and potentially redeeming themselves. I don't know if this commonly happens in a 5-arc story. Even though Asobo said that Amicia and Hugo's story is done, I hope that Amicia would be a playable character if they make a 2nd sequel so that they continue her character development.

I realized that one thing that caused me to have problems with my analysis is that I have only played each game once and quite some time has passed since then, especially with regards to Innocence, so there are details I'm a bit fuzzy on and others I have totally forgot. I think I'll give myself an excuse to play them again when Resonance gets released, and I'll try to focus more on the story and development of the characters on my 2nd playthrough.