Aesthetic in Alchemist Sprites (possible spoilers)

07th Discussion
#1

This topic was pretty much inspired by my thoughts on the Discord server. Anyway,
I was thinking about how a lot of people tend to complain about the Alchemist sprites-that they’re too vapid, boring, and don’t convey emotion. While I do understand this sentiment, I feel like there is some merit to the Alchemist sprites, especially in Higurashi’s case.

To me, the Higurashi Alchemist sprites have a sort of 2000s anime aesthetic that I’ve sorely missed and in some way, acts as a sort of contrast to Higurashi’s dark nature. Its not really a bait and switch, but more like a lie to cover up the truth. It fits Higurashi in some sort of way even if it isn’t as expressive. It doesn’t help that Ryukishi took inspiration from dating sims and such when he was creating Higurashi.

Though for me, the Umineko sprites cannot have the same value. Personally, I think it should’ve gotten the Madoka treatment or given a 90s aesthetic.

What are you guys’ thoughts? I’d love to hear them.

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#2

To me, using Alchemist sprites is the best choice actually. The steam ones are straight up terrible, and the original ones are passable in Umineko and Higanbana, but downright sloppy in Higurashi (fingers…).

#3

Hmm, I never played Higurashi with Alchemist sprites. Maybe I should to get some context. I don’t have much of a problem with the Umineko Alchemist sprites but they don’t manage to live up to the expressiveness of the originals for me.

#4

I feel the opposite- I’m fine with the Umineko Alchemist sprites but cannot stand the Higurashi ones. I think Ryukishi’s original art was very reminiscent of Key’s early art, like in Kanon, and actually find the Alchemist art to be much less similar to early 2000s dating sims, although I must admit I haven’t played many so I may very well be wrong.

On the other hand, the Umineko Alchemist sprites, while imperfect, are much more detailed looking, and surprisingly solid. There’s a lot more poses and the expressions are much more distinct, albeit not nearly as distinct as the original.

I think I would play with the Alchemist sprites if I were playing the Alchemist ports themselves, but I don’t like them enough to play the original games with them. The backgrounds are pretty good, though, especially in Umineko.

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#5

Steam’s Higurashi sprites are good, though I don’t know how expressive they are or anything, as I don’t play the steam version (I have the original one) - but in art style, it’s better than the Ryukishi07’s original. I like the colors in original, but they’re a bit off-putting, so this modern art style is good. Though it’s a bit too…moe? For me.

I love Alchemist’s sprites more than anything, mainly because I favor that kind of art style. Kinda old-looking, but still modern and fresh. And feel more visual novel-like, I guess. They aren’t as expressive as the original, but they’re enough to convey things and feel, especially the CGs (especially in Umineko). Alchemist’s sprites are so professional and solid it stands out by itself.

Umineko steam sprites are taken from the pachinko slot, which is like, the worst choice ever. The style is good for animation but not for stagnant sprites, so Alchemist’s the best choice for Umineko, if not the original. Extra: Williard in Alchemist sprite…I can’t resist that…

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#6

When it comes to Umineko I don’t have a problem with the Alchemist sprites (nor any other sprites).
I’ve only played Higurashi with the original sprites as well. Do the Steam releases of Higurashi use Alchemist sprites for the new art, or?

#7

I was thinking that if Mangagamer were to rerelease Umineko with self created sprites and CGs-they could do an artstyle that’s a cross between Soul Eater and Madoka. I think that sort of style would fit Umineko very well.[quote=“isofrag, post:6, topic:1349”]
Do the Steam releases of Higurashi use Alchemist sprites for the new art, or?
[/quote]

They didn’t. Mangagamer created all new sprites and used those instead. I don’t like them at all.

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