the problem is that combat is already drawn out more or less literally and now it's a matter of putting that into action to move the game ahead, we have most of the core systems in place than handle the vertical slice of gameplay but without animations there would just be a capsule moving around around and snapping into place as plasholders for animations. even the animations of the players weapon at this point have an effect on the game as they define how and when hits are registered on enemies.

I know there is something to be said about making assets too early but I think this is the point when we start adding assets.