3rd Gen' Spyro- So close, yet so far...

I must open by saying this isn't another barrage flung at Skylanders, it's come under more than enough fire from a sizable amount of the gaming community.

There are many reasons that people just don't like his new outting, but there's one problem that springs up universally. His appearence:


As you can see, he does look rather hideous, and quite poorly modelled too. 

So why did I make this thread then? Well, I've come to realise what they WERE trying to do. This new design could have looked rather good, but unfortunately it fell short, and ended up a splattered mess on the floor.

Let me explain-
I've been going around and have stumbled upon fan-art of new Spyro, and to be honest, they have done a considerably better job. Here's just a couple that I think are worth mentioning:





So what makes these better than what Toys for Bob managed?
These artists have not only shown that the new look could actually work, but have captured the essence of Spyro's character.
Tell me you can't imagine Spyro's older personalites in these bodies. (Moreso the original than legend) See what I mean? These have CHARACTER whereas the real thing just gives the impression of a little growling animal.

It's not like they are incapable of that feat themselves, this is part of their art-



They CAN do it themseves. Now compare this to the in-game screenshot again. Notice the difference? Here he looks like he has personality, but for some reason they didn't translate that into the game.

So, what do you guys make of this? Can you see what I'm getting at? Am I talking a load of carp?

Shall we make this a thread dedicated to Skylanders improvements? (Like posting 'better' fanart and whatnot?)

But that was a minor detail.

Changing Spyro's appearance, the whole character model, is a little too late since the game is almost completed.

true, doing that would cost more money and time.

two things that i realize devs have little of in the first place :(

true, doing that would cost more money** and time.

two things that i realize devs have little of in the first place :(

sputnick2006

**...little money? Activision?! :lol:

Anyway, I agree with your comment about keeping him like the concept art. I'm not going about saying he should look like he did before in c1assic or legend form; If I wanted to see that, I'd go and play those games. As I said, I am quite fond of how he looks in the concept art- he feels like a new Spyro.

This goes kinda goes as a reply to your comment on toothless aswell. I too thought he looked a bit... odd, but the thing that made me watch HTTYD was the characterisation he was given. Sure he was animalistic, but he had traits that made him relatable and in-turn, awesome. This Spyro just seems like the kind of annoying pet that pesters you by going "Look how cute I am! Please love meh!1!"- that's if the new Spyro character trailer is to go by. This doesn't make sense to me considered who it is aimed at. I mean kids aren't idiots, I'm pretty sure even a little characterisation shouldn't baffle them too much. 

@ Lowndes:

I said devs as in Developers, not activision.