The VG Resource

"waves sword around", please don't hurt me, Link said.
The actual movement of the sword swing makes no sense. Firstly, if he 's swinging a sword or knife with one arm, you'll get more of a natural look if he started the swing from the opposite arm. And secondly right now the sword hoes straight down and then to the side. Looks a bit weird.

Part of the problem I see with the sword swing is that the anticipation is pretty weak.

Wikipedia actually explains this pretty well. Think of it like this- before you jump, you bend your knees so you'll actually be able to propel yourself upwards. That's what anticipation is in animation - the movement to 'set up' for your primary movement. Link doesn't look like he's swinging his sword upward so much as he's just... sticking his sword out for a beat before he swings down.

just a reeelly rough sketch, but is this a better idea for for his attack? (in red box)

threw together an animation so you can get a better idea


????????????

now that doesn't look like an attack but more like a 'hell yeah *raises sword*' kind of action.

I suggest looking for reference animations.

I think it does look more like an attack if he does not raise his sword that high and more in the direction of the imaginary enemy.
Or maybe it is just the problem that he looks so cute.

just eliminate the second frame.

wanananana

Better! Though I would like to add that the sword he's swinging isn't all that large. So don't add to much force to it.

I found a use for the old sword animation

it is now a magic rod animation

new animations!






to do list:
stand[v]
walk [v]
jump [v]
crouch[v]
crawl[]
hurt[]
defeated[]
got item! []
sword attack[v]
sword beam []
aerial sword attack(?)[]
upward sword attack(?)[]
magic rod attack[v]
every other item from the original LoZ []
health HUD[]

anything else I should add to this list?

This is looking really good, I like the simplistic style of it all. =]

And also, spin attack! and shields galore!

I need someone to tear this animation apart with biting criticism, please and thank you

The last sprite in the animation looks like the sword's randomly changed into a spear..

I thinkl he shouldn't be leaning forward that much in the first frame. It doesn't seem to fit the upward slash thingy.