Opinions on my Link sprite?

[piders7]

I'm making a demake of The Legend of Zelda. I made a Link sprite for my demake and I'd like an opinion on it. Tell me whether my sprite is good or if it sucks. Constructive criticism appreciated!

 

Thank you!

 

Here it is!

Edited August 10, 2014 by piders7

[piders7]

I'm making a demake of The Legend of Zelda. I made a Link sprite for my demake and I'd like an opinion on it. Tell me whether my sprite is good or if it sucks. Constructive criticism appreciated!

 

Thank you!

 

Here it is!

I almost forgot, here's a chubbier version of my Link sprite. I'm not sure which one is better.

 

Chubby Link

[DemonoidTentacle]

I prefer the chubby version.

[raindog]

I think the chubby version is a little better, but you might want to consider doing it multicolor the way Coleco did with Donkey Kong, changing color per scanline:

 

http://mysocalledcloud.com/aa-post-20140810/link-8x8-demake-bad-aspect-ratio.png

 

But the 2600 doesn't have square pixels, so when you play it on TV, it's going to look like this:

 

http://mysocalledcloud.com/aa-post-20140810/link-8x8-demake-aspect-ratio-corrected.png

 

So if you can spare a few extra pixels vertically, you might want to try 8x10 instead of 8x8:

 

http://mysocalledcloud.com/aa-post-20140810/link-8x10-demake-aspect-ratio-corrected.png

 

I'm no pixel artist, so I wouldn't claim that these are better than your monocolor 8x8 designs. But looking at this now, it seems to me you may even want to go up to 8x12 pixels per tile.

 

(The preview shows my images for a moment and then they disappear. I'm not sure if it's the editor hating me again or just Firefox acting up, so I apologize if you can't see those. I'll repost raw URLs if they don't work.)

[piders7]

I think the chubby version is a little better, but you might want to consider doing it multicolor the way Coleco did with Donkey Kong, changing color per scanline:

 

http://mysocalledcloud.com/aa-post-20140810/link-8x8-demake-bad-aspect-ratio.png

 

But the 2600 doesn't have square pixels, so when you play it on TV, it's going to look like this:

 

http://mysocalledcloud.com/aa-post-20140810/link-8x8-demake-aspect-ratio-corrected.png

 

So if you can spare a few extra pixels vertically, you might want to try 8x10 instead of 8x8:

 

http://mysocalledcloud.com/aa-post-20140810/link-8x10-demake-aspect-ratio-corrected.png

 

I'm no pixel artist, so I wouldn't claim that these are better than your monocolor 8x8 designs. But looking at this now, it seems to me you may even want to go up to 8x12 pixels per tile.

 

(The preview shows my images for a moment and then they disappear. I'm not sure if it's the editor hating me again or just Firefox acting up, so I apologize if you can't see those. I'll repost raw URLs if they don't work.)

Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it. I do realize that the sprite will look like that on a TV and I'm alright with that. Despite what I just said, I will take your word for it and try to redo the sprite.

[+Gemintronic]

I'd seriously consider going at around 14 pixels high for this.

 

[Shawn]

My opinion is that NOA will be around with your C&D in about ASAP.

[+Gemintronic]

My opinion is that NOA will be around with your C&D in about ASAP.

 

Yeah, I agree! But, the O.P. wanted art advice.

[piders7]

I'd seriously consider going at around 14 pixels high for this.

 

link_sideview.jpg link_frontview.jpg

Thanks, Loon! Those Link sprites look great!

Edited August 12, 2014 by piders7

[SeaGtGruff]

My opinion is that NOA will be around with your C&D in about ASAP.

 

Only if he calls it Link, Legend of Zelda, etc. I vote for "Zinc: Legend of Imelda."

[roland p]

Does it have different views for walking left/right/up/down?

[raindog]

Only if he calls it Link, Legend of Zelda, etc. I vote for "Zinc: Legend of Imelda."

Calling the Mario clone "Princess Rescue" didn't seem to help much. But that is an epic name. If he makes fun of the original a bit, he should be okay -- I noticed Nintendo didn't rattle their sabers over 3D Dot Game Heroes, which was a pretty shameless (albeit voxel-based, and lovely) ripoff/parody.

[+Gemintronic]

PR was intended as a port of SMB. Also, we seem to be assuming the O.P. is one of those who intend to make PHAT LOOT selling carts.

 

My Link sprite seems to get recognized by family and friends about %50 percent of the time. If you use similar gameplay and make your art/music assets unique there shouldn't be any problem. Kinda like Ature. I consider that Zelda-esque.

[raindog]

That does look lovely, and seems like it would be a nice approach to take. (I'd never seen it till now.)

 

I suppose the usual bB blank scanlines are another thing that would help visually distinguish it from actual Zelda games if the OP is using that, though (as in Surround back in the day) I find them extremely distracting.

 

Anyway, I think the OP's statement of intent to make "a demake of The Legend of Zelda" could put it in the same category as PR, since pretty much anything released after 1980 ported to the VCS is automatically a demake. But you're right, no one said anything about making carts. On the other hand, I was never under the impression sprybug was a profiteer either; it was just inevitable once it started getting good that people would start bugging him for a cart. If piders7 succeeds in making something merely as big as Atari Adventure with a Zelda-esque feel, the same thing will happen.

 

Maybe he could call it "2D Dot Game Heroes"

[+Gemintronic]

[piders7]

That... is.. the coolest thing I've ever seen in my life! This wonderful picture shall the cartridge art! That is final!

[Cybearg]

It even has a female protagonist, so you'll be hitting the latest fad as well.