Portraits or no portraits in future games?

[Guest]

Most of the console HM games don't use character artwork/portraits/sprites/whatever. Only the lowpoly ones like 64 and BTN did. It makes sense as the models are well-defined enough to have animations, however... I like the portraits. They hold a sentimental value, you know? They're just so Harvest Moon. Plus, I'm not terribly fond of how the characters jump up and down and such in many of the console game (like MM and ToT). 'Just subtle movements is best.

With the Switch, I don't know if they'll continue with portraits or replace them.

[Sanne]

I think the portraits portray the characters much better than the models do and I hope they'll stay for a while.

[Kam]

i like it better without the portraits, but i feel i'm in the minority. it'd be nice if they at least bring back the option of turning them off from (m)fomt

[Bluie]

^Nah, i'm in your boat too. Especially when the portraits white washed af (Looking at you Ludus) compared to the in game models. If the models are able to show decent emotions, sprites or 3D models, then i'm all for no portraits. As I mentioned in another thread, the 3D models in the 3DS games are super ugly. I'll be legit upset if they carry over to the Switch title in the works.

[FoolishGhoul]

Yeah if the portraits match the models then I don't mind really them really. I do think they should at least bring back the option of turning them off even though I personally like them a lot. I think it's good to have that option for those who don't like them

[Nightlight]

I prefer having portraits and would like them to stick around. They make the characters feel more alive to me. Plus I love portrait art, getting to see the portraits of the characters for the first time is one of my favorite things when following the news of a yet to be released SoS game.

[Nurse Fin]

I could take them or leave them, honestly.

The way the handheld games are visually directed, though, it would look bad if portraits were removed, because the 3D models barely emote or move other than walking or having little emotion symbols pop above their heads. So I think they're fairly necessary in those cases.

If the 3D models and cutscenes had fully expressive movement and animations, though, I'd actually prefer that. It would involve a lot more work in scene direction and modeling though so it's not that likely to happen... a lot of the animations in the console games are reused for every character instead of being unique like portraits.

For the Switch it really just depends on whether they want to treat it like a handheld or console title

[Lon Lon]

Personally I've always preferred portraits but I'd say it depends on the models. Having no portraits worked for games like AP and AWL because the models there were more detailed, expressive, etc. but I wouldn't want them if they looked the 3DS ones.

[Anna_Lynn]

Was it...Hero of Leaf Valley that did both? If so, I'd honestly prefer a game like that again. There could be moments where the portraits show, then maybe the character's 3D models could appear more frequently during a full cutscene or something.

I'd also prefer if they went the route of using 3D character models for console installments, and then used the character portraits for the handheld installments. Feels like it would fit the environment style more that way, but that's just my viewpoint.

[Samansu]

I definitely enjoy the character portraits because I like the art. I know they often have problems (Ludus... Why you so pale!?), but overall i think they are nice!

That being said if the 3D models are as good and detailed as Animal Parade I am ok with that as well. I just want good expressions! ^-^

[Blue Rose]

Considering how messy 3oT was with their portraits vs models, id like to see just expressive models over half-assed combination. I like portraits, but i also enjoyed games like ToT/AP which didn't have them.

[Celestrian]

I prefer portraits but like Ghoul said, I think there should be the option to turn them off for those who don't like them.

If they don't use portraits, I'd at least like to see facial expressions like in ToT and AP. I'd hate to have the characters smile during sad dialogue or just be like the MCs in Pokemon Sun/Moon.

[Guest]

[quote="Bluie"]^Nah, i'm in your boat too. Especially when the portraits white washed af (Looking at you Ludus) compared to the in game models. If the models are able to show decent emotions, sprites or 3D models, then i'm all for no portraits. As I mentioned in another thread, the 3D models in the 3DS games are super ugly. I'll be legit upset if they carry over to the Switch title in the works.[/quote]

The console games usually look so good. I presume the current games just look shoddy because they're handhel games (they should have released a PS4 or U game...). The Switch is a 9th gen HD console. No such limitations exist.

[SakunoHaru]

I wanted 3d moved portrait like persona Q D:

Srsly speaking I still want a portrait for their close up so I can understand what they express during talking

[Guest]

I was looking at Lost Village's 3D model portraits and I like that style. With a bit of polish, it could be nice. The characters mouths need to move though.