I agree that there should have been more foreshadowing about the game plot driving force but apart from that I actually like the changes to Alicia’s character. When I read the LN I really felt like it was a bit absurd that Alicia would act on her fear of Yumiella and that ended up making me feel like she was ultimately an uninteresting character.
As for the foil, I think Patrick fills that role pretty well imo, and the contrast only gets funnier as the story progresses.