Here are two main characters for the game I have just started, I figured I might as well start right by asking for some critic.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae250/Vexxice/MelLookingDown.png) Mel the Apple
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae250/Vexxice/PaulLookingRightRevision.png) Paul the Pear
Because the sprite style is so simple, I say they do the job perfectly. It has emotion. It has style. To me the apple looks indifferent, perhaps angry. The pear looks uncomfortable, perhaps frightened. If that's what you were going for you succeeded beautifully.
What else do you need to know?
colors too intense...desaturate at least 30% - and draw on solid gray background in the future - you'll notice how those colors hurt the eye then :P
What about shading? Or do you think simple is better? And I am very new to saturation, so this is what I got when I changed it down. To me it really doesn't look any different (http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae250/Vexxice/MelLookingDown-1.png)
Vexxice, its hard to give you "blanket" advice covering the entire concept of whether to shade or not to shade. There has to be some desire from you, some inkling that tells us what you're going for.
From these two sprites alone, it would be very hard for anyone to give you proper advice.
Suggestions:
1.) Write a paragraph describing your game and the approach to the artwork you're taking. Just list off some thoughts and ideas you've had. If any games influenced this one, please name them.
2.) Show us a sample of a background image. Perhaps integrate the sprite into the background. And *maybe* give us your own thoughts how everything is working out.