Here is a mockup of a swamp level. Grid based on 16x16 tiles. I've inserted game units to give understanding on scale and proportions.



I've made this level, but now I see that it's structure restricts me at a field of gamedesign. First of all, the level is plain flat. I can't make ground shifting, because of the logic of still water. The only way I can bring up jumping is creating a some kind of alternative path over branches. But I feel restriction, because too long truncs ruins aestetics and feel weird. And no idea how to populate branches with appropriate obstacles.
I could't come up with convinient destroyable path blocks, like bone pillars in Castlevania, so it's another trouble - I don't know how to stop a player from running across avoiding battle.
Maybe I'm thinking in wrong direction, and try to fill lack of level mechanics by graphic measures.
I need some serious critique and advice. Is there a way to improve gaming concept of a level?

I think that eyes are too high.
  ->>

Might be a neat idea to have him do a bit of a different stance for Ice attacks. The fluid arm swipe suits fire well enough.

It is indeed a neat idea, I'll see what can be done. I hope my imagination will give a hint on how to handle it better.

Also, here's an update on ice effect.

Pixel art is not for big resolutions. It won't look nice, even if you spend infinite amount of time on creation.

New cube.