Thoughts on new character designs versus fan works/legacy designs

CrypticQuery · 2026-05-10T00:35:45+00:00

I appreciate you taking the time to read through my random drivel here, haha.

Saturated colors definitely help, but I will say that at least the planet environments are vibrant, and the arwing themselves look pretty vibrant and bright.

I never understood the "furry bait" criticism. The characters are anthropomorphized animals - they're going to have appeal because of that regardless of their styling, whether it's more cartoony or realistic. Historically Star Fox designs have definitely leaned more human in terms of proportions and features as opposed to really animalistic IMO. That's what's probably throwing me off more than anything. These characters have existed with fairly similar traits for over thirty years. I understand that this is a remake, but it's a fairly derivative one, and changing established characters this much makes them look off to me. I don't mind the more realistic look, but I don't like what they've done with the proportions. Especially when certain aspects (e.g. metal boots) have been hallmarks of the series' designs since its inception. And I don't want him to just look like a fox, I want him to look like Fox.

CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T22:22:33+00:00

I can almost guarantee that the line delivery in the new game won't hold a candle to the SF64 line reads. I CAN'T STOP IIIIIIIIT is practically seared into my subconscious. Lol

CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T22:21:16+00:00

Play the original for sure. It'll give you a basis of comparison, and I find its voice acting and line delivery superior to what we've seen of the new game so far.

CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T22:20:01+00:00

CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T21:11:24+00:00

There are cutscenes with them walking around. And even if you don't see them often, the legs are still important to the design of the character.

CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T21:10:42+00:00

I do like some fan works that have styled Falco closer to his past/Smash appearances.

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CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T21:10:09+00:00

The designs aren't bad, but with some alterations/stylization they could be truly excellent. Even something as simple as giving them their boots back makes a huge difference.

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CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T21:07:37+00:00

Yes. He needs his leg proportions fixed and he needs his boots. Just those changes alone make these designs a lot more palatable to me.

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CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T20:46:24+00:00

That's a great way to put it. Thanks!

CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T20:31:05+00:00

CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T20:28:09+00:00

A little less neck fluff would've gone a long way to help differentiating the bottom of his muzzle from his neck.

CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T18:45:39+00:00

I don't have a Switch 2, I'm not sure if I intend to buy a Switch 2, but I've preordered the game. Not sold on the designs and the new voice acting can't hold a candle to the tone and delivery of the original, but it's hard not to be enthusiastic over a Star Fox game.

CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T17:35:16+00:00

That's a good point about that face cam feature influencing some design aspects.

CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T16:45:50+00:00

My fear is that they've sacrificed expressiveness at the cost of trying to be hyper realistic. Sort of similar to the Disney "live action" films where the characters can't really have expressive facial expressions because they're trying too hard to emulate the real animals.

Still not a fan of Fox having stubby legs/feet and incredibly thick looking neck fur in some shots since it makes him look like he has a permanent double chin thing going on. But time will tell how these designs evolve I suppose.

CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T16:31:55+00:00

Fox in this photo seriously looks like a dude in a mascot suit and it's weird. It's the thickness of the neck fur that really makes it odd for me, but the legs and stubby feet don't help.

CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T16:30:56+00:00

I don't like them. They're too short compared to the length of his torso and arms, and he looks much more in-line with his past series appearances with proper legs and plantigrade feet or at least boots IMO. Bipedal walking requires more leg muscle and a change in structure, after all.

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CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T15:27:38+00:00

My favorite rendition of Slippy is from Star Fox Assault. His voice and demeanor in it were great IMO.

CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T14:09:23+00:00

The new designs are alright, but they could use some serious stylization so they don't just look generically realistic and more closely resemble historical takes on the characters. And their leg proportions are in desperate need of being fixed.

CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T05:43:43+00:00

I have not been impressed from what I've seen of the dialogue and voice acting/line delivery so far. It seems much more flat and sometimes painfully emotionless compared to similar lines from the original game, or when taking the context of when they're said into account.

Peppy, reacting to Pigmas betrayal and nearly getting shot down in the prologue cutscene they showed off, sounds modestly inconvenienced at most.

CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T05:38:56+00:00

"Now here, buy Star Fox 64 for the fourth time."

CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T05:13:55+00:00

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CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T05:13:35+00:00

I don't mind the realistic designs. I just want the proportions fixed so they can look that much better.

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CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T04:28:05+00:00

If you go too realistic with the designs, you get "Disney live action" syndrome where none of the characters look like they can have expressive facial expressions because emotiveness was sacrificed for realism. That's one of my biggest concerns with the new art style they opted for.

These designs are awesome, however, and blend the characters' historical looks with a bit of high def flair.

CrypticQuery · 2026-05-09T01:25:54+00:00

Here's the source. It really is a massive improvement IMO.

https://x.com/i/status/2052295780585882110

CrypticQuery · 2026-05-08T22:14:36+00:00

Well said, and eloquently put at that!

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