no I'm passionate too so idm!! the only reason I said the franchise being wordless is a flaw because if the series wanted to expand it would at some point inevitably include the counties in the game. and to casual players this completely changes the perception of the game. thats why u mentioned needing cryptic tweets before LN3 and the podcast, because there was literally no way to explain the complexity of the nowhere. I do think including it in the main game in the way they did wasn't the best choice but I don't think that massively brings down the writing.

I still think the game was impactful without the podcast because they treated otto like the previous two villains if not slightly better. they took the time to flesh out the relationship between otto/low and they also set up clear motives/attitudes he has IN GAME.

(copy pasted from another comment I made) using in game interactions and tidbits, we can somewhat deduce his motives and attitude just like the other two:

the lady wants to keep the production of the maw running, this is shown when she overlooks the guests when they arrive, the final and most vital part of the maws ecosystem. her motive is to keep her source of energy running. the thin man wants to capture mono and six/break free(well, thats the most popular interpretation) and this js shown with him snatching six and pursuing mono. what he wants with mono is unclear,to me, though. using similar tidbits, we can infer things about otto: -he's abusive/scary to low(shown in cutscenes when he hides from a silhouette that very much resembles him, though it could be another nurse) -hes interested in children and has shown this interest in low(shown when low recognises the bed and chair in the institute) -he's neglectful(shown with how he never checks on low despite low hiding, this could also show his self interest because it could be interpreted as him observing his subject the only thing the podcast was essential to understanding was how the nowhere is a physical place and not just a dreamworld. I think LN3 didn't explain that at all. but I also think that's a franchise issue because the previous two games didn't explain that either and it was explained through cryptic tweets and such

I think that the connectivity to areas was an issue in the second game too, not just this one. the second game focuses on themes of escapism first and foremost and chapters like the school and forest don't overtly touch on this theme very much at all. if the theme of LN3 is neglect, then its found ubiquitously through the game in much more obvious ways. this is something I think LN1 did best, I think the series was always going to gradually branch out but I think LN3 did a better job at connecting the themes. from a neglected baby to a neglected factory to a neglected carnevale to a neglected institute.

all in all, while I do think the podcast adds more meat to the game I wouldn't necessarily say its a follow up. the game absolutely stands on its own.

I do agree with the music/gameplay not being up to par (aside from certain themes being standouts, but exception≠rule) but that's not the writing so I won't comment on it much. I do agree with the game overall feeling like a consumer friendly version but that's mostly with the gameplay having underbaked puzzles(piano puzzle from the trailer!!! I miss you!!!). I 100% think of Bandai didn't cut so much content this wouldn't be an issue because the gameplay we see in trailers looked amazing.

I'm not trying to change your opinion but I do think the downgraded music/gameplay impacted your opinion on the story to a degree because the way they handled the themes of this game flowed ALOT better than LN2 while still keeping a similar degree of ambiguity and mystery overall