I don't know why, but that orb reminds me of an old game, think it was called Myth or something, Myst? Mist?

There's not much critic you can give an orb, you know.^^

Another piece uploaded.
Think I'm gonna try and keep the "simple" style of design, rather then make it too clunky.

So any final words about this that looks odd?

Edit: Updated first with an image of the backpack design.

So far I've been able to use the 2.49 without any trouble on it, the new 2.5 that's out though I haven't seen much of.

So yes, this guide is quite nice.

You create a wireframe from the objects you extrude and scale.
If you mean a wireframe control, you usually don't need it due to the models you can use already.

It's that..."anchor" thing on his left leg still bothers me, rest really looks good.

Tried to "change" the leg, but I'm not happy with it either like this.

>.< The muscle bending on his right leg is what you should try and turn with your mind to make out how it looks in 3D and then try to follow those shadows.