As someone who grew up playing these iconic games, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia mixed with bewilderment when I think about these misguided redesign attempts. It seems like the 2000s were a time of experimentation, where developers felt the need to take our favorite characters and make them grittier, darker, and edgier than ever before. And boy, did it not always work out!
Game characters’ identities are largely shaped by their unique designs, which convey who they are, what roles they play, and etch their images permanently in video game lore.
With advancements in game graphics, it’s essential that characters evolve as well, receiving a touch-up to reflect current trends.
Regrettably, certain revisions may not resonate as intended. At their best, these changes might seem like an inadequate echo of the original; however, they can sometimes fall short to such an extent that they spark frustration among passionate devotees.
As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but feel disappointed when a favorite character undergoes a redesign that barely resembles their original form. It seems like the designers were aiming for something completely new, but the fans, being as passionate as they are, didn’t take too kindly to these changes. It’s clear that the revamp didn’t go down well with them.
10 Viktor
A Contentious Evolution
This one’s a pretty recent controversy. Viktor from League of Legends was introduced as the leader of a cult of robots and cyborgs, adopting the moniker of the Machine Herald and preaching the truth of the “Glorious Evolution.”
Originally designed as a counterpart or antagonist for Jayce, fans adored Viktor’s robotic appearance, which echoed the style of Adeptus Mechanicus and featured large cybernetics. The anticipation among fans soared when hints were dropped that Viktor’s storyline would lead to him becoming a Machine Herald through Hextech, but his transformation ultimately took a different route.
As a gamer, I can tell you that instead of cybernetic, Victor’s creations evolved to be more biomechanical in nature. With the integration of the Hexcore, Victor gained access to the Arcane, and it felt like a scene straight out of scripture. Now, I am not just the Machine Herald, but the Herald of the Arcane.
Initially, some supporters speculated that the update might merely involve cosmetic changes for Viktor. However, when Riot revealed Viktor was receiving an in-game overhaul, many fans expressed disappointment, feeling resentful that their cherished robot leader of the cult was being altered. More articulate fans, on the other hand, contend that this transformation strips away what sets Viktor apart from a universe teeming with magic and blades.
I, for one, love this new look. Maybe it might grow on people someday.
9 Chris Redfield
Get Back To Punching Boulders!
Unlike many other characters from the Resident Evil series such as Leon or Ada who are known for their distinctive designs that instantly identify them, Chris Redfield’s appearance has not been consistent throughout, with the exception of his design in Resident Evil 5 where he sports a typical rough and tough military look.
Over time, it appears that the game’s graphics have aged Chris more visibly, making him appear older than his previous portrayals in Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village.
Given that he would surpass the age of 48 while the events in RE Village unfold, it’s logical. Over the years, he’s become an integral part of the Resident Evil series, and a departure from his traditional appearance could feel quite unsettling.
8 Joanna Dark
Three Games, Entirely Different Looks
Five months past, the Xbox Games Showcase unveiled a trailer for a fresh take on the beloved Perfect Dark, a successor spiritually to the classic _Goldeneye 007_, showcasing a revamped appearance for its lead character, Joanna Dark, devoid of the previous sensual portrayal.
Unsurprisingly, a lot of individuals expressed their displeasure, with initial angry remarks escalating rapidly into heated exchanges related to cultural conflicts.
Regardless of personal views, the fundamental problem with Joanna Dark’s design lies in its lack of unique characteristics that remain consistent across every game version. In essence, the designs in each game fail to share a common identity and lack the iconic impact they should have.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel the same heated reactions that were sparked when it was revealed that Lara Croft would be sporting a more realistic look instead of her signature skimpy outfit in the Tomb Raider reboot. Similarly, fans are up in arms over the decision to give Joanna Dark a more down-to-earth appearance in the reboot, as her earlier designs leaned heavily on femme fatale sex appeal.
Perhaps there’s a chance that the same thing could happen again – the new design may eventually win over more people. We’ll find out by 2025, though.
7 Frank West
He Has A “Fivehead” Now
Has it ever happened that you came across the cherished symbol of a brand being significantly altered in an unpleasant manner? If you’re part of gaming communities, then undoubtedly you have witnessed this occurrence.
Frank West, the adored and unofficial mascot photographer from the Dead Rising series, left fans delighted when he was revealed as the main character in Dead Rising 4. Fans had been eagerly anticipating a resurgence of the Dead Rising franchise, hoping to see it return to its former glory.
However, here comes the twist: Terence J. Rotolo, Frank’s original voice actor, was not planning to reprise his role. Instead, the developers aimed to present a grittier version of the quirky photographer, which certainly wasn’t great news.
Capcom faced significant criticism for their recent decision, and even the engaging gameplay and compelling narrative of Dead Rising 4 failed to quell the fury of its fans.
6 Ken
Ahead Of Its Time
Initially, Ken Masters and Ryu have consistently faced off as rivals, with their attires remaining identical since the beginning of Street Fighter. However, in Street Fighter V, Capcom opted to revamp Ken’s appearance following years of teasing from fans who felt it was outdated.
His redesign conceptually appears appealing due to its significant distinction from Ryu, yet it fell short in practice, particularly because of the issues with console generation and the vibrant color palette in the art style. Consequently, the in-game models didn’t meet expectations, giving him a peculiar appearance reminiscent of banana hair.
However, SF6 appears to have corrected that issue, as Ken now stands out more visually, and the graphics also align with this enhancement.
5 Megaman
A Gaming Icon Turned Into A Joke
A timeless 8-bit gem, the platform game character Megaman, has consistently been a staple in its genre. Although it has evolved through numerous adaptations, certain features have remained constant: exaggerated proportions featuring oversized hands and boots, a predominantly blue color palette, and a streamlined appearance on a youthful visage. This is fitting as he’s designed to resemble a child robot similar to Astro Boy.
It appears that the person at CAPCOM who suggested Megaman as a DLC fighter for Street Fighter X Tekken may not have received the same information as others, since they chose to use the less popular design from the Megaman original box art, which was adapted for U.S. audiences.
In the gaming community, Megaman’s design became the subject of ridicule due to his outdated appearance, featuring an exaggerated middle age and a comical yellow outfit, complete with an oversized belly. To add insult to injury, his powerful Megabuster weapon was downgraded to a seemingly weak pea shooter.
4 Spyro
What Happened To Him?
During the era of the PlayStation, Spyro undeniably stood as one of Sony’s emblematic characters, much like Crash Bandicoot. Unfortunately, they both fell out of active development when the teams behind them shifted focus towards new ventures.
After retiring as a PlayStation mascot, Crash received some favorable post-retirement care. In contrast, Spyro didn’t enjoy the same luck. As the main character in the Skylanders game, Spyro underwent a transformation that made his design rougher and more realistic to suit the game’s atmosphere.
Unfortunately, it didn’t suit him at all as he appeared quite unfriendly and harsh. However, fortunately, the Reignited Trilogy has rectified this issue by providing a long-awaited visual enhancement to the iconic purple character.
3 Dr. Eggman
Four. Golden. Nipples.
Dr. Ivo “Eggman” Robotnik is undeniably one of the most memorable villains in video game history. Over the years, he’s been consistently depicted with a distinctive appearance: a round, almost comical physique and a red nose so bright it could put Rudolph’s to shame.
It appears that Sonic Team opted for a departure from the traditional design when creating the widely criticized 2006 reboot of “Sonic the Hedgehog”.
In my gaming world, Sega was aiming for a grittier take on an otherwise silly baddie, but it seems they stumbled upon the funniest outcome yet. And let me tell you, there’s nothing quite as hilarious as Jim Carrey’s portrayal of Sonic’s villain in those movies!
Seeing Eggman’s eyes behind his shades feels just like seeing Sonic without his gloves or shoes on. Terrifyingly uncanny.
2 Bomberman
Everything Is Gritty!
Ever since its inception, the Bomberman series has been recognized for its playful atmosphere and distinctive chibi visual style. Essentially, it offers a battlefield-like maze that players can explore and engage in battles using bombs, making it an ideal choice for fun group gaming sessions.
“Up until the mid-2000s, everything seemed to be about realism and grittiness, even my beloved Bomberman wasn’t spared. But then came Act Zero, a stark contrast to its predecessors, offering a bleak, futuristic sci-fi backdrop and edgy designs that bore little resemblance to the cheerful original.”
It’s no shock that “Act Zero” didn’t perform well, leading the “Bomberman” series to abandon that misstep. The mid-2000s were a time of innovation and forgotten games, and Konami discovered that sometimes change isn’t always necessary.
1 Dante
Crazy How They Missed The Jackpot
In any game from the Devil May Cry series, the main theme is that each character embodies a teenage boy’s concept of being extremely cool or tough, often referred to as “badass”. However, this series succumbed to the trend of the 2000s where stories became more gritty and dark, as seen in DmC: Devil May Cry.
As a gamer, I dived into the revamped world of Devil May Cry, crafted by the creative minds at Ninja Theory. This wasn’t your typical Japanese-developed game; it was a fresh take, designed as a reboot for Dante’s thrilling storyline. And boy, did they deliver an edgy protagonist with a short, spiky black mane and a sailor’s vocabulary that would make even the saltiest seafarer blush!
This redesign was nearly catastrophic for the franchise, as DmC received significant backlash from fans who were accustomed to the endearing, eccentric Pizza Man character. Notably, this occurred following the introduction of Nero in DMC4.
Many supporters view this new interpretation of Dante as a rude middle finger towards the original. Ninja Theory also incorporated a scene where a white wig falls onto Dante’s head while he is admiring himself in the mirror, to which he retorts, “Not in a million years.
Although the game offers enjoyable functionality, intriguing mechanics, and impressive skills, DMC fans have relentlessly ridiculed it. However, the release of DMC5 in 2019, with its stunningly sexy style, left fans utterly amazed.
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2024-12-05 18:09