[CRITIQUE] Forest Parallax for Sidescroller

[+ Titanhex 284]

Hey, any critique on my parallax is appreciated. Worked on it for a sidescrolling RPG. I've got it as is, and then a version of it in place:

 

Just looking for graphical inconsistencies or any errors you may spot, or ways to improve aspects of it. Keep in mind this is an 8bit style theme, between NES and Sega graphical style.

[charlesthehurst 691]

Overall I like it.  It definitely fits with theme you are going for.  I don't believe you need to make any changes.  That's my opinion.

 

PS: I believe you posted this in the wrong section.  The 'The Gallery Critique' forum might have been more appropriate...

[+ Titanhex 284]

I couldn't find the critique forum, but that's cause I was in resource showcase and in a hurry. At first I thought we didn't have one anymore.

You can tell how often I get around here. I'll have someone move it. Thanks!

[Ehibika 2]

For 8-bit, I think this does the job rather well, you've done an excellent job with the depth of the trees and the bushes are great details.

 

The only thing I could criticize are the leaves, the foreground leaves look too flat but in all honestly I cannot say they look terrible. it is 8-bit so you have to keep graphical limitations into consideration, still I feel that the leaves should overlap in groups rather than strait layers, like this:

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Not bad, in fact, it looks good. I would however like to suggest that you shade both the left and right side of the trees (as if the light is coming from the center/players pov). That's just my 2¢.

 

 

Also...as silly as it sounds, that game scared the crap out of me as a kid.

[FRSGalaxy1990 0]

looks pretty awesome I assume your making a final fantasy game seem's your using their graphics? 

[RetroExcellent 369]

I agree, it looks really good, but a little more variation in depth can go a long way.

 

@Trickster - not silly at all, that music started playing, making you paranoid as you search the house, suddenly Jason appears! You jump, but you gotta fight! You throw your rocks and defeat him, victory! Then you step outside and he isin the side view throwing machettes!

 

True. Epic. Horror. That game is an inspiration!

[+ Titanhex 284]

Truly a frightening game!

 

Yeah I looked at my leaves then I looked at their leaves and I realized exactly what was being said. I'll deepen the depth of the leaves with some more contrast. They are flat and that can be improved easily with just a lighter green in a few key places on a few key leave clusters.

 

I appreciate all the help here. I'm sure I'll be able to  deepen the contrast in the leaves and improve it.

 

As for the game itself, it's just using the FF Characters as a placeholder. I'll likely change them to be more original. Most the stuff in the game is actually original, minus a few small things I need to check and alter myself. Most of it is simple anyways, 16x16 pixelated graphics in a 32x32 grid.

It'll have an original storyline and whatnot, but the gameplay and certain features will be reminiscent of oldschool Final Fantasy along with some Roguelike.

 

I'm not sure I understand left/right shading on the tree though. Sounds like pillow shading Could you clarify? :3

[Ehibika 2]

What I mean is that the leaves are all one big wall, try ordering them in clumps from front to back. for example, see how in that picture, there is a visible separation between the leaves that give the impression that the bunch to the left of the image are placed in front of the bunch to the right. this gives the impression that there are groups of leaves closes to the player and groups behind them.

 

Take a good look at this speed run to see what I mean:

[+ Titanhex 284]

Alright, I made an attempt at it. I'll post the results tomorrow when I can upload.

Results posted:

 

 

Looks a lot better.

 

Unfortunately I don't know if I should just keep the softer parallax as a background to contrast deeper or make it all the improved parallax.

 

 

 

Keep in mind, there's an interesting moving effect when you have the parallax set this way, scrolling but with movement set to 0. It looks pretty cool but without video recording I can't show it off. It affects the way the parallax blends though.

[+ Dark Influence 251]

Very nice parallax Thex, this only serves to confirm you are brilliant at 8-bit style graphics! (Or I'm a bad art judge, either way I like it)

 

I can not wait to give this game a try, I think it will be epic - That's just me though.