When They Cry - Original vs Updated Sprites

[adeninesuts]

Higurashi : I only like the original version. Like it was saying, the alchemist sprites lack of emotion. They aren’t ugly, it’s just that…they don’t have " soul " …? For the steam sprites, well, they have more emotions than the alchemist ones, but I don’t know exactly why I just can’t read with them, I think that they are too differents from the original version. Fun fact, one day, I wanted to read Higurashi with the Steam sprites, and after like 10 minute and without realizing it, I switched to the original sprites…But I think that I will give them another chance
Also, it’s ok for ryukishi to draw with bad proportions, he’s not a pro. But the steam version is supposed to correct things like that… yet look at Mion’s boobs lol they are way to huge

Oh, and ( Higurashi minor spoiler ) Why Tomitake is so muscular and skinny in the Alchemist/Steam version ? It’s stated by Takano that he is a bit fat, like the original sprite

For Umineko, well I kinda like both, though I prefer the original version, but I agree with @WitchOfGames about stuffs like the end of ep4

The problem imo for all the versions except the original is the backgrounds, I can’t help but think that they dont fit Higurasho and Umineko, maybe I’m just used to the realistic style of the original version…

[Rabla]

Only seen Higurashi so far.

Steam version all the way. I understand some people do love the original look and are used to that, but it honestly shatters the illusion for me. The game has such a serious tone that the rough chibi art ruins it for me.

I got shown the console version art after playing Ep.2 but I just found it less detailed and nice than the Steam version art, so, eh.

[LadyRevan]

Only read Umineko (so far!), and I must say I prefer the original sprites. While the PS3 ones are prettier, for sure, Ryukishi just has this way of drawing expressions that the PS3 sprites can’t match. I was going to do a reread with the PS3 sprites though, but considering I’m rereading with the Steam release now that won’t be an option until they’re patched in, which’ll probably still be a while off–and I certainly won’t be going with the Steam sprites.

They’re not terrible, but their chins are so very pointy, it’s distracting. But worst of all is Battler’s hair, imo, it looks so incredibly wrong and sharp that you could kill someone with it, I absolutely hate it. I hate the look of his face in general, tbh, it’s far too angular.

Culprit: Battler, in the billiard room, with his hair.

[vanessaj360]

The PS3 version was way more better than the original PC game because Battler’s, Jessica’s and George’s eyes are black and in the PS3 version, Bernkastel’s hair is blue and 07th Expansion is better. This person is REALLY skilled at drawing creepy and sad faces.

[Rabla]

Found an unfortunate issue that has arisen from basing the new Umineko art assets on the pachinko assets.

Character spoilers for Ep.4

[spoiler]

[/spoiler]

this is… rather game shattering

[Antra]

If you ask me, I prefer the original sprites for Higurashi and the PS3 sprites for Umineko. I ended up being introduced to the VN’s for both series with the updated versions and disliked the original sprites until they eventually grew on me. On the orginal BG’s, I don’t know why, but there’s something about the original sprites that made me stare at them while I read the Higurashi VN’s. In comparsion, I don’t like the updated Higurashi BG’s. There something about it that just so boring to look at. Oddly enough, I don’t feel the same way about Umineko’s updated BG’s. It’s probably because I went through the entire story with the PS3 sprites. Speaking of backgrounds, I was reading Arc 2 of Higurashi when something caught my eye.

I swear that looks like Yugi/Yami from Yu-Gi-Oh and Luffy from One Piece. No way you can tell me otherwise.

[pictoshark]

When you realize that suicide is the only way to escape their eyes. They’re looking at you. Almost pleading.

"Please kill me. I don’t belong here

And you can’t. They’re trapped behind this infernal device of lights and glass. You can never reach them. Never choke the life out of them like they want.

I walk around my house. I see a window, I see my floor. My walls. Across all of them. I see the faces. They just wanted to be released. I could never help them. I could never SAVE them. They’ll always be here in my head. Unable to die.

Oh god, now I’ve doubled the pain. They exist both here and there. Two sets of four characters. One set here. One set in the screen. I can free one of the sets. I feel something hard against my temple. I don’t know where I got the gun. I feel resistance from the trigger. I pull, as I free them from their cage.

[Rabla]

are you okay

[pictoshark]

Play TTS

[Restkastel]

PS3 sprites all the way for Umineko, Dont really like the higurashi sprites too much in general. They all have their own problems, though I have to say that Original is probably the worst in my opinion because I just cant even with Ryuukishi’s art. Its as bad or worse than Zun’s original stuff.

[AlterBernkastel]

I’m gonna be honest, I first read Umineko with PS3 sprites and I can fully see the appeal of the original sprites (in fact next time I read it I’ll probably read it with those) but I really dislike these ones. Probably just a bias on my part but it reminds me of a shoujo manga and rubs me the wrong way.

[Exalt]

Steam sprites for both, unquestionably.

Barring the fact that they went a bit overboard on breasts with Umineko.

The other two really don’t work for me.

[U4ea]

I also prefer the steam sprites, but the original sprites are a close second to me. The sprites have never really mattered that much to me though. I like the stories because they’re stories, not because they are aesthetically pleasing.

BUT! The original sprites did create this… Which is either the best thing you will see, or the worst…

[Restkastel]

pulls out the Exterminatus button and hammers it repeatedly

OH GOD KILL IT WITH FIRE!

[WitchOfGames]

GaaNjo confirmed, Umineko is solved, we can go home, everyone!

[Antra]

My eyes…

[amenenee]

When it comes to Umineko, I guess I prefer the original sprites. I think the only real reason I’m reading the Steam version with pachinko sprites is because they take up less of the screen, so I can see more background image. Despite that being my reason, they’ve grown on me. I have yet to read the game with PS3 artwork.

For Higurashi, which I haven’t read more than 20 hours of, I chose to go with the original sprites for the sake of reading in Ryukishi’s way, if that makes sense. Not saying the updated sprites are bad, I just want to read it with the artwork Ryukishi made, at least the first time through, like I did with Umineko.

[kyuketsukimiyu]

I get that. There is a feeling of it being closer his vision as it is the first expression of his vision going with his sprite work. And it will always be able to be The Original Artwork - which makes it the most canon or True feeling.

[lobotomyprince]

No one has brought it up yet, but how do people feel about the pachinko artwork that MG is going to be using for the steam release of Umineko?

worse than the original in my opinion

original sprites had the benefit of being the creator’s vision. the ps3 sprites are far better artistically but some of the old sprites have charm to them.

I’m really disappointed the Steam version isn’t a port of the ps3 version!! The voice acting is a treat and the sprites are so much more attractive. Really don’t like the art style of the pachinko game. It’s not Umineko anime bad, but I hate the faces and the shading.

Now onto more specific sprite opinions… I’m going to use Beato since she has the most sprites out of anyone in the game.

I really love the Beatrice sprites of the original. I think they give her way more personality! I’ve noticed later adaptations of the sprites like to exaggerate Beato’s expressions (which isn’t bad because she’s an exaggerated person), but I think the manga does a much better job of slasher face than the ps3 sprites which feel oddly plastic in comparison to the original. Here’s a comparison photo:

sorry for low quality.

I think it’s because the original sprites make her look more endearing… It’s a departure and I don’t mind it too much.

I really dislike the Pachinko sprites. Did they add the Pachinko animation into the game? I think that would make it very unique!! I guess it was probably an understandable limitation, so I don’t fault them.

I found a great Pachinko sprite and event catalog on E-Hentai of all places. Not sure if I should post the link, but I’m going to pull a Beato sprite so I can stay consistent.

They just don’t do it for me. They don’t have those exaggerated expressions, but those moe eyes spoil all of them. I’m not personally a fan, but it’s a matter of opinion!

[AMF]

Original sprites all the way! The PS3 sprites are nice to look at and I prefer them if I’m showing the game to somebody, but the original sprites are far more impactful and add more to the story. Ryukishi’s art is all about expression and feeling and atmosphere, which matches his stories perfectly. Plus, there are all these little details to them that other adaptations don’t have. The little dimple in Beato’s cheek when she smiles, for instance. (That one might be my favorite, heheh.)
When I look at the original sprites, I can really get a sense of the emotion depicted in each one. There isn’t a single sprite that seems bland or simple or lacking. Can’t say that for the other sets.