Improving the character design

[tinyhippo]

Here's what we got. What do you think?

[Adam H]

Your original gif got taken down so I can't compare new to old.

The head moves in a V shape, but I think it should move more in an upside-down V shape.

The legs still kick out to the side a lot. Also, maybe consider shrinking the toe a little bit when the foot is closest to the camera. The perspective is such that the camera looks pretty close to the character, which may or may not fit the game.

Maybe have the character turn a bit less as well? When I walk my shirt zipper doesn't move relative to my face.

The bouncing strings on the hoodie is a nice touch. The wrinkles on the sleeves also appear well-thought out. I'm quite impressed.

Did a quick edit (verrrry quick) where I only made changes to frames 3 and 7 - I copied the legs from frames 4 and 8, and I moved the head several pixels closer to center. The head now moves more in a figure 8 and the feet don't kick out as much. I think it's a slight improvement even with the screwy neck/shoulders and copy/pasted legs.

[Monsieur OUXX]

There's something I've noticed on most front walkcycles: the character often walks like a clown: his knees movement look a bit exaggerated. It looks like he's throwing his legs far in front of him, like he's parading. Then again, it's like that on many walkcycles I've seen. I don't know what's to blame for that. Maybe there is a reference walkcycle that is used by everybody and causes chaos for the last 10 years?

[Snarky]

You can blame Mr. Colossal.

[Khris]

Yeah, that reference is awful.

Here's a much better one:
 

tinyhippo: I'd consider reworking the walk-cycle, moving away from the template.

Edit:
Added animation. (It's by Antipus and was posted in the Contribution Thread.)

[Snarky]

I think Eric's walkcycle is actually very good (except for the up view) for a Sam & Max-style, close-up, exaggeratedly cartoony game. But (through no real fault of his) it's been overused and applied where not appropriate. Maybe the one Khris just posted is better for this style (it's hard to tell without seeing it in motion).