And no, I’ve not played Resident Evil. Don’t assume that your audience is in on your references. I’m just telling you how the design as I saw it struck me.

I would also like to take this time and say, although I’m not great at using heromachine 3, In spirit of the program, or something like that, I wouldn’t mind trying helping anyone in anyway I can, when I have time, with their questions about designs or whatever, being if they have any, and they think I could answer them.

1) Griogh-Nar - I thought this one had a great colour scheme and a look of warrior-ism. I liked Nova also, but it seems as if Griogh is an alien and I like that.

2) Eron - I really like both characters. A big sense of Science and Fiction (I think that makes sense). But I went for Eron because he looks intimidating, as if he doesn’t need a lot of weaponry. I like that he seems like a warrior and I like the Cyborg feel.

3) Houston - I just really like this one’s design. I think the Rough night one gives a unique sense of Sci-Fi and in my opinion is very creative, but I had to go for Houston.

4) Sci-Fighter - As awesome as Bronze may be, I had to vote for Sci-Fighter. Just the way that Mech parts and Human parts were used won it over for me. It was definitely the trickiest of the bunch.

For me, I’m looking for who’s telling me the best story. What do I understand about a character through the choice of color, equipment or clothing? Does the design engage me in some way? Do I want to know more, or does it barely register?

That said, my rundown for FNF Round 2:

1. Nova. It’s the little things: the scruff, the graying temples, the simple yet interesting tunic with centered insignia. I especially love the tech on one arm. This guy has a story, and I want to know more about him.

2. This one was tough. One, I’m not much into mech/tech characters. I’ll admit to that bias upfront. Both of these characters are good, but I gave the nod to General Falgar for a good mix of equipment with effective use of color. I particularly liked the blue spikes, and the insignia placement is well done. I felt like this guy could be dropped into the middle of a fight on a lifeless hunk of space rock and start whuppin’ tail right away.

3. Definitely the most interesting pairing of FNF thus far. I pondered this one long and hard. Is a half-naked chick in a fedora “sci-fi” enough? In the end, I decided yes, it was. I had to go for the more interesting story…who is this gal that doesn’t wear pants whilst smoking a pipe, power-tech fist ready to wallop some poor schmoe? I like the vibe I get from her. Houston, while certainly very genre appropriate, is weighed down by too many details that get in the way of telling the guy’s story. Why does he have *two* insignia? What does a guy with a cannon on his arm need with grenades stuffed into his belt? Why does he need two sets of wings? More does not necessarily equal better.

4. Bronze. Both of these entries are entirely genre appropriate, but two things stood out to me: One, I love the space gladiator feel of Bronze. Great gold on yellow color scheme, very simple yet well considered in the details, such as the texture on the back of the gloves. Two, Sci-Fighter struck me as very contradictory. His top half says dangerous space ninja. His bottom half says lumbering mechanized combat robot. Don’t get me wrong, contrast is a very good thing. But I feel like this one goes too far, moving from contrast into non-sequitur.

Looking forward to round 3!