Animations in 3D tranfering into 2D

[Rezanta 373]

Alrighty, this idea goes a bit into a spectrum I, myself, have no skill in drawing yet. We all know how animations of moves, like Golden Sun, Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon, and even games like Final Fantasy have certain attacks that trigger a screen animation where the screen isn't the battle, but transitions into the attack. For example, the summons in GS first show the actual spirit/god you summon, then they appear and deal their attack to the enemies. Pokemon and Dragon Ascent is a decent example to explain as well. Sure, it starts out like Fly, but then shows off Requaza as it attacks, before the actual attack connects. My question to you is: Are they really necessary, or should it just be one set graphic?

[lonequeso 1,921]

Big flashy graphics and animations aren't necesarry. They look really cool and can make your game look more polished and proffesional, but there are more important aspects. Namely, game play. I don'5 care how amazing the graphics are. If the gameplay sucks, the game sucks. If have the time, skill and resources or can find someone who does, sure. Make your game look amazing. Just don't make it your main concern.

[Point08 219]

Necessary? I don't personally think so. Cool? Depends. I think if done well, they can make some special moves seem that much more epic, if that's what you're going for. However, I often find that they're over done, and too many abilities have them. This is especially true if these abilities become part of your commonly used abilities in fights, as it gets old watching that, and waiting for, that extra animation in every single fight.

 

Again though, for abilities that are really special and aren't used all the time, it can definitely be cool. Do you have a wizard who summons a giant meteor to hit the target? If so, then having a cut-in or some animation of the meteor flying through space to ward the planet, and then going back to the  battle and having it fly down and hit the target, can be cool.

 

I'd say these types of things are like just about anything added to a game, in moderation they can be a nice addition. If overused, they become at best stale and unimpressive, at worst, an actual annoyance.

 

That's my take on it anyway.

[Rezanta 373]

Indeed, I'm with both of you on what you mean, but then I also say that if the game has one animation, then keep that and don't do the transition. In Dragon Ball Z BT 3, every single final was some big effect animation, whether it be Supernova or some flashy sword skill.

[lonequeso 1,921]

Animations or cutscenes that take a long time should be reserved for special moves. Otherwide it can really slow a game down. One thing I lived about Golden Sun was that you can skip the summon scenes. Whether you go with scenes, flashy animations or both really doesn't matter. None of them are bad. Just don't let them become an annoyance for the player.