Sprites to Models

[Altairis]

What do you think of the recent change from using Pokemon sprites to battle models? Do you have a preference as to which one you'd rather see in-game? Would you have made the same change that Gamefreak did?

 

[blue]

I do like the artwork style in recent games, particularly for the Gym Leaders in ORAS. When comparing the artwork to the sprites though, I've gotta say I prefer the sprites.

 

[Hikamaru]

Between models and sprites, I'd say both look good. The coloring sometimes looks off with the models but they are more fluid while sprites are easier for artists.

 

[mew_nani]

The models are nice but the color palette is often too light. Like with Zapdos; its shiny coloration looks exactly like its non-shiny sprite. They also sometimes have the wrong shadows, and not enough color depth. But I do like them; it makes the Pokemon look more real. I just wish they did it like they did in the console games...

 

[Hiatus]

I'm not sure about everyone else, but personally, I would say I'm more used to sprites. They've been utilized for a decently long time, and those who've been following Pokémon from get-go, such as me, are more or less adapted.

With that said, even though I'm more familiar with sprites, I wouldn't say I prefer them over models. Models, if you ask me, tend to add a lot more realistic feel into games, since they have Pokémon seem as if they're about to pop out of your screen, in a way. Perhaps not all of them are like this, but some are. Transition from sprites to models is a big step for their handheld games, I like to believe.

In future, I feel it'd be nice if they were to add a bit more shading to them, if possible, as well as make models more anti-aliased (more smooth they are, the better!).

 

[Bellsprout]

It's hard to let go of the sprites, but I don't mind the models. Sometimes they're a bit pixelated (not a word) but it doesn't bother me too much. I really do love the realism they bring.

 

[pkmin3033]

I guess it's probably because I've been playing the games since the beginning, but I prefer sprites. It's been nice to watch them evolve across five generations, slowly getting more lively and detailed, and I suppose you could argue that the models they use in the sixth generation are the next logical step, but they just don't feel right to me...that might change with time, but right now I feel like they're a step back, rather than a step forward.

I mean, attack animations aren't hugely improved - they still writhe around in mid-air for physical attacks, etc - and the in-battle movements aren't a huge leap up from the fifth gen. The coloring for the models is a little off as well, especially for the shiny sprites. They don't LOOK shiny, they look washed-out. Sprites were vibrant and colourful. Models look quite drab by comparison, and when Pokemon is a bright, colourful game, I'm not going to accept the "more realistic" argument to justify this. They're just not as exciting.

As I say, my view might change with a couple more generations as they improve; maybe I just need to get used to them as well. But for the moment, I much prefer the sprites.

 

[mew_nani]

I guess it's probably because I've been playing the games since the beginning, but I prefer sprites. It's been nice to watch them evolve across five generations, slowly getting more lively and detailed, and I suppose you could argue that the models they use in the sixth generation are the next logical step, but they just don't feel right to me...that might change with time, but right now I feel like they're a step back, rather than a step forward.

I mean, attack animations aren't hugely improved - they still writhe around in mid-air for physical attacks, etc - and the in-battle movements aren't a huge leap up from the fifth gen. The coloring for the models is a little off as well, especially for the shiny sprites. They don't LOOK shiny, they look washed-out. Sprites were vibrant and colourful. Models look quite drab by comparison, and when Pokemon is a bright, colourful game, I'm not going to accept the "more realistic" argument to justify this. They're just not as exciting.

As I say, my view might change with a couple more generations as they improve; maybe I just need to get used to them as well. But for the moment, I much prefer the sprites.

It's not the models fault, as the console games like Pokemon XD and Battle Revolution had awesome models that weren't washed out. I think the problem was they cel-shaded the models to make them look more like sprites and used the most washed-out palettes for them, relying on that black outline around the model to show where the edges were. Which was really dumb; the outline made the models look really... off-model, and they don't look three-dimensional at all.