polycount and quality have nothing to do with each other. Perfect recent example. 400 tri characters and 128x128 maps PURE QUALITY! http://www.polycount.com/forum/showthread.php?t=94379
Your concept is very cute, but you definitely need to rethink your lowpoly mesh construction. Here's a good example to study. The characters are somewhat similar in style and they have similar poly budgets as well: http://www.gameartisans.org/contests/minis/finals_mini3d_564.html For starters, you definitely need to make…