C&C for Sprites: Practice, possible game. Need help

[Bearded_Beast]

The sprites I present here I am trying to the quality thereof.
I'm attempting something similar to the feel of Metroid Fusion in a more medieval setting akin to Castlevania or Demon's Crest Which inspired this in the first place. The bosses include for the possible game (by name mainly) Pazuzu, Behemoth, Dagon. I've been told that the image of Enki and Gil look more like Akira Toriyama's style. (the sketch seen later in the thread)

I've been having a lot of trouble with the shading. Perhaps I am completely off the mark with how I made this. I'm having alot of second thoughts about this project now.... hmmm....

Possible changes to the character: now with his rival.

Shading Changes



Another addition, more details in most recent post.


This 'spoiler' contains the basic animations of the character Enki

Spoiler

The melee portion of this character has been redone from scratch.
original step 1 step 2 annnnd complete revamp
this is at x2 scale for visibility.
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Courtesy of Gorsal, better than any way I've futzed with it. At original size. [edit] Although I've completely redone the thing now. I like this better.

I'm doing this as an exercise now that I have time and patience to practice spriting again.

[edit] ok, now side by side, I've tried to make the motion smoother by creating some new frames. Looks smoother, but something is still missing.

[edit] Run sprites, actual size. From newest post
Step 3 > Step 2 > Step 1 > Original >
WIP

Finished a jumping anim.