I know that the old graphics was already very good. That map on screen is a remake from another old map. I will try to recreate the more actually 2D maps in the new map style, this map is for a arid place, that's because this screen not makes you remember yourself of any one of the old, more recent, pure 2D graphics.

The old map inspiration of this screen:


I changed the style because the 2D maps gives me more work to do... I think that the new style can speed up the process of creation.

At first I was thinking only on make the characters in 3D, because each character needed 64 sprites for each movement(8 directions x 8 frames). 64 for walk, 64 for run, 64 por each type of attack. Every Npc can attack and defend themselves... I was switching the sprite styles too... but I don't showed here the new sprites because I noticed that it was given me much tedious work to create.

That's the more actual of the base sprite style before I attend to 3D graphics, early january:

Video - January-12-2013 - Rise of Dragon Souls

Everything in this video is 2D pixel art yet, made by myself...

But I saw that I was taking 2 - 3 months to make just one male base sprite...so... a friend of myself said that he could make the character in 3D, and it would be more easy to animate it. But... he even begin to do it... so I decide to adventuring myself to learn something in the 3D aspect... so I came to a conclusion, after studying day and night, that I could easily to make some builds in 3D and include in my maps too. But soon I notice that is more easy to do everything on 3D, because of the ilumination that is automatic on 3D. In the 2D graphics, I was making the lights... the effects, by hands. Some maps given me a LOT of work to do fire and light effects at hand, with shadows and some frames... and everything... and 3 weeks of work for each map. Drawing night light effects, fire light effects, water flow movement and everything... Drawing each sprite...

I could use the old graphics for a new game in the future off course, but I could use some 3D objects to help me with the work, making it to seem 2D. Reworking it.

That's a 3D sprite test with the 2D map, made early February:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k3xkn6uh1w4m44r/Teste_Anima%C3%A7%C3%B5es_2.mp4
Video - February / 2013 - Rise of Dragon Souls

(this is a alpha version, and it is not made for public view huahuaua, the sprite is temporary yet, for test, I'm yet preparing the new true sprites and soon will make a demonstration.).

And I think that soon I can remake the more actual 2D maps in 3D, recreating the same old maps in a new fresh map, making it reborn! But I need to study a little more for some solution for some problems That I can have here and there in the process.

I will make everything to keep the visual fidelity of the old locations. So keeping looking at the project news, until soon, fellows!

author=SnowOwl
These 2.5D pictures doesn't even look like they are from the same game as earlier pictures. If you ask me which one I would prefer I would have to say the earlier ones. While these are far from bad they don't have the same charm or vibrance.

Thank you SnowOw! I agree with you. But keep give a looking because it just the first map = ).

author=Adon237

author=SnowOwl
These 2.5D pictures doesn't even look like they are from the same game as earlier pictures. If you ask me which one I would prefer I would have to say the earlier ones. While these are far from bad they don't have the same charm or vibrance.

Those are my thoughts as well.

The previous game looked drop dead gorgeous already, you didn't have to make any improvements! I am not complaining, this graphic style is very very amazing, I would love to see it in another game.

Thanks Adon! I explain the motives of the changes above... that's not just for my will... somethings made the way to this changes.

author=Sana
I have to agree as well..I liked the older stuff more. Maybe use this style for another game? :o

Thanks Sana, and yes, I can use the old stuff for a another game, why not? =]
But I'm just one person and I will focus on one thing each time... and now I'm learning 3D, and making the game at same time. With the 3D material I can make the 2D sprites easily later... = ], making only some adjustments to combine.

author=Gibmaker
Well it's true that the other pictures were "prettier" with more saturated colours, there's something to be said for more muted colour schemes as well as less lush vegetation. It makes for a certain feel. I SAY YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT SINCHROSS

Thank you Gibmaker! I know the advantages of the 2D... But soon I will present some maps with fidelity to all the more recent 2D maps. = ).
That's because I'm remaking the old maps, that map on this screen was meant to be a desert place, I think yet that I put a lot of vegetation that was not meant to be there hahaha.

I will do it, my friend! I'm learning yet, but will no measure efforts for bring the old 2D forest maps to life with fidelity = )

A recreation with more fidelity of this map: