The VG Resource

The second sprite's body/scarf area isn't readable because it is dark, has low contrast and the colours are close (desaturated). You want to reconsider that.

Yup, I see that. Should be able to fix that with a bit of work to the palette.

EDIT: The desaturation is part of the style, but nonetheless, I've worked at the palette a little, and I think the body is a little more readable now. I can't seem to get the scarf to look any better, though, without introducing the highlight colour, which I don't want to do because it defies the logic of the lightsource (which is from the hip).

Here's what I've done in any case. I also brightened the girl's ponytail, because it made no sense to be that dark, considering the lightsource.

Meh, I made some item icons.

The first one is the Lantern, which provides light so that you can see in-game, and the second is the Grapple (think Hookshot, but in 2D).