Link's Shack - Zelda (UDK) [WIP]
polycounter lvl 6
This was a private project I did recently over 3 days.
The idea behind it was to create my vision of an old shack where the character Link from the Zelda games, would be metaphorically living out his last remaining days. His old bed sits in the corner surrounded by his tokens from his quests over the years; swords, shields, rupees, the tri-force, etc. I wanted to make it feel dusty, over-grown and old. I also wanted to make it seem like a realistic environment, where this “real” character has taken all these object back home from the “game world”.
Looking for any critique on it. I haven't completed a private project for ages so I'm no doubt out of practice. Thanks!
The idea behind it was to create my vision of an old shack where the character Link from the Zelda games, would be metaphorically living out his last remaining days. His old bed sits in the corner surrounded by his tokens from his quests over the years; swords, shields, rupees, the tri-force, etc. I wanted to make it feel dusty, over-grown and old. I also wanted to make it seem like a realistic environment, where this “real” character has taken all these object back home from the “game world”.
Looking for any critique on it. I haven't completed a private project for ages so I'm no doubt out of practice. Thanks!
Replies
I'm not too sure why the skull, it was one of the assets I found on a Zelda fan site so decided to use it, I thought it looked cool hanging on the wall. I totally get your point about it seeming like a generic fantasy hut, but I was hoping the shield, swords and rupees etc would give it away.
I found the lighting really hard.. because I wanted it to be night time, the moon-light was illuminating very little. I made some lamps modelled off some from within a shop in Ocarina of Time:
I'm thinking of overhauling the lighting and removing the glow from the rupees so that it has an older feel.. And also change it to day light and make the atmosphere feel more dusty.
Also in your first image you have a blue bottle sitting next to a duplicated version of itself that is kind of standing out.
Other than that I really like all the props and the feel of this scene, looking forward to updates.
One of the major things that stands out is that you have a lot of lights competing with each other. I would keep the lanterns, since the reference you have shows a lot of them around, but not have them all lit up at the same time. That way, the primary source of lighting (the fireplace) can stand out and affect the scene more.
Also, as already mentioned, there's a lot of objects everywhere. Maybe arrange them in areas that makes sense and help the composition, but still give the impression that they're not being used anymore. I just messed with some of them in the paintover.
Hope this helps, good luck.
While it isn't super Zelda-y I think I remember similar skulls showing up on the walls inside of Gerudo Fortress. They were normally above the opening of the prison rooms if I remember correctly.
@Suidae Thanks so much for taking the time to do this! You've brought to my attention a lot of improvements I can make
Opinions?
Also have been experimenting with the one lamp.
And without the overpowering rupees.
Also, after playing around with some PP effects...
Opinions please
@Sebeuroc I agree with you, and have now changed them.
Put some strutural detail into the shack/cabin instead of creating a trophy room. you have all this flat surfaces with a small prop placed in the middle. the tiled wood texture doesn't help.
Change up the textures used for the floor/walls/ceiling. I probably wouldn't put a tile floor in there, but whatev. Add a dropped down partial ceiling or some braces across to hang stuff on. mabye a bunk bed or second floor?
Alot of the stuff you have just looks like tiled textures too. Add some detail in there. build a custom fireplace with the chimney going up the wall some. add some polys to your stuff too. the door frame looks chunky and low poly, plus i can't tell if its made of wood or not.
you also have a lot of black in your textures. everything is too dark.
This might be a bit more stylized for what you're going for, but notice on Damians cellar how everything is softer and you don't see any dark blacks or super bright whites.
Damian Lazarski Cellar
It reads clean and interesting with minimal textures.
more reference
ref
ref
wall props, but with some more interesting strutural detail, its actually interesting.
ref
Changed the door because I wasn't happy with it to allow some more of the outside environment to be shown...
Haha fair point
I liked the colorful gems I would have suggested to add some of the health sprites in glass bottles. Guess that wouldn't fit into the theme your going with for this.
Not to change your direction totally or anything but I agree with the ("Bag End from LotR.") comment a more full of life scene would be more appropriate for our hero.
Either way this is still a great piece to have and you've put a nice amount of work/effort into It.
Haha I see your point.. Though it's not supposed to be accurate to the story in every way. Thanks man!