Character Portrait on fangame

[Balter 32]

Hi, so I'm currently working on my first (training) project to master RPG maker.

I had launch the demo and some of the playtester is kind enough to give me valuable feedbacks.

 

But there's something I need more advice from different people, because it's a matter of taste.

I'm trying to make fangame, but put some of my originality in it, 

but when my originality didn't meet the other fan of the real game's expectation, 

I don't really know what to do.

 

So this character, Squall Lionheart is 47 now.

He's a general and I think he will be more neat in appearance.

so I design him like this :

 

 

on the other hand, Seifer is 48, and he'd been living a hard life and alone, 

so I think his face and expression will be rough like this :

 

Meanwhile, Quistis is like hollywood actress, she manage to remain her youth looks

and because (the quistis I knew) I don't think she's kind of person who take things seriously or lightly, 

I think she will look like this :

 

If I really should change the design, please tell me the more appropriate design for them.

Thanks before.

[EpicFILE 200]

Your art is pretty cool!

(The art style like yours is my favorite! Remind me of Front Mission)

 

I haven't played FF8, though, so I can't say much.

But your design and the description looks fitting pretty well. 

Edited October 20, 2015 by EpicFILE

[+ Takeo212 1,079]

I've been leaning on my left hand and now typing feels weird because it's numb. My apologies for any spelling errors!

 

Firstly, I want to comment on the fact I like your style.

I assume the issue for feedback is, you made a game demo, and some play testers mentioned the fact your art style isn't to there liking?

If so, I think I understand why. 

 

Again, your art style is amazing, and I like the fact you made the characters older looking (I hope to see a Zell in future maybe )

But the problem isn't so much your art style, exactly. If your creating a fan game - especially of a really popular JRPG game such as final fantasy, fans are gonna "eat you alive" if everything isn't exact and precise.

In this case, it's your style. Your style is great, and your characters aged quite well but it isn't "final fantasy artwork". 

 

I like Quistis hair. I wasn't fond of her in game, but I like the style you took with her.

 

Your style isn't the style used in the final fantasy game portraits and art work, and normally that would be a great thing, but since your making a fan game, fans are gonna be strict on what the style should be.

 

Also, a side question; Does your portraits fit well in the game? Does it look weird against the tileset or class with anything?

Since it's only a test and practice game, it shouldn't matter to much.

 

 

My opinion is simply, keep doing what your doing. Ignore any comments on your art, because those portraits look awesome, and just work away

The problem with fan games is, fans became restless and want exactly what they want in a, say, sequel. If you dont meet their expectations, they'll bite down on you unfortunately.

 

As a FF fan, I like what your doing and wish you luck in your development .

 

 

My hand is cramping up from this numbness!

Edited October 20, 2015 by Takeo212

[Rikifive 3,411]

Well... As for me these portraits look really great, I don't see anything bad.

 

Your art is awesome, but as Takeo said, the question is - 'does they fit to the style of your game?'. If they are 'shining' among the other stuff (windows, tiles and general style) then that may be the problem, because as of art - they are nicely done in my opinion.

Edited October 20, 2015 by Rikifive

[Balter 32]

@epicFILE

thank you, I'm seriously flattered by your comment. I'm a big fan of Akihiko Yoshida and Yoshitaka Amano

 

@Takeko212 & Rikifive

Thank you for the encouraging words, both of you. I'll draw Zell later after I know how to do the artwork right.

 

by the way, here's the screenshot

[EpicFILE 200]

After I see it for a while, the environment looks a little too bright compared to the potrait.

(Maybe that's just my feeling, I don't know)

 

Maybe add a change screen color event?

So you can modify the screen color to make it "darker".

That way the environment and the potrait can match better.

 

 

I love FF and FF Tactics artworks, and those kinda influence me somehow.

I know early FF arts were made by Amano, but I just know today that FF Tactics arts were made by Yoshida!

 

Wow, those are really my favorite!

*gives ultimate handshake 

[RetroExcellent 369]

I like the portraits, but I feel that the sprites do not match at all. Some customer gritty sprites would look a lot better.

[Balter 32]

@EpicFILE

so you mean, everytime the dialogue appears, I darken the background a little so the players can be more focus on the dialogue?

that would be interesting. let me see how it turns out

 

Yoshida FTW!

his scetches, his coloring.

I think it's only watercolor, but looks classic and nice.

I think his best design is in Bravery Default and Tactics Ogre.

(BD's artwork 70$ in my nearest bookstore, sadly, it's too much for me to afford)

 

@shaddow

agree. those sprites needs a lot of reparations. let's see what can I do about it.

[Rikifive 3,411]

Changing the sprites from RTP to your custom style would do a lot. I looks kinda out of place if sprites are RTP (little cute) and your portraits are 'more realistic'.

And I'm wondering - Perhaps remove the white background in portraits? But I'm really unsure.

 

As for portraits - they look great, so there's need to change other stuff - not portraits. (=

Edited October 21, 2015 by Rikifive

[+ Takeo212 1,079]

Out of curiosity, have you considered parralax mapping?

From the portraits, it's clear you have artistic skill, and maybe having a parralax map - FFVIII uses this style anyway - would help improve your mapping and game.

Of course, this is a suggestion and not a critique.

 

I lov ethe style used in BD. I love that game - I've yet to finish it though since I keep going back to max out the job classes ;-; Tiz is awesome, character and design.

[Balter 32]

@Rikifive

actually, you kindda read my mind.

I was thinking that the white background quite annoying.

now that you mention it, I don't need a second thought.

And, yes I think I'll learn how to import bigger sprite too and design my own sprite. 

I've tried to did it yesterday but have to finish the whole game first, I guess?

I wish I knew which one to do first, design or events.

 

@Takeo212

I'm learning it right now. Though I found it more quicker to finish map by putting it together in tileset, I really want to finish the demo as fast as I can so, I haven't got time to improve my parallax mapping skill. 

 

Lucky you. I haven't try BD at all. so I have to satisfied staring at it's artworks on google lol

 

 

anyway, I have nothing to do today and decide to remake the General Leonheart.

I think this one looks more like him. reminds me of Abraham Lincoln somehow

Edited October 21, 2015 by Balter

[+ Takeo212 1,079]

That remake portrait looks alot more like Squall that your previous. I'm pretty sure the front part of his hair makes it more resemblance, and it definitely more believable (he also looks younger than your first one, which I think is a good thing?)

 

Thats understandable, I'm actually the same way on the mapping side of it.

I think this portrait is alot more Squall, than the previous so good improvement

[Balter 32]

I'm guessing it will took a lot of time to create one parallax map?

but FF8's interior design is somewhat unique, no ordinary furnitures, 

so, yeah, I think after finish the levels, stages and events, I'll get my hands on it.

 

And the new picture also made him more similar to his son (My OC) (which is I tried to blend a lot of Laguna in him)

 

thank you for the valuable feedbacks, Takeko

Edited October 21, 2015 by Balter