[Platformer] How to get better?

[KB90]

I'm making platformed, and that is how far I got, but it does not look too good. The only thing I like about it is idea that life grows around life.

[fatalcubez]

Please consider refactoring your question to make it more specific.

[KB90]

Please consider refactoring your question to make it more specific.

Hi. Just wanted to ask what people think about this. And what can I do to improve.

[Rydin]

I think this is a cool idea.

It's empty so far. But it's got potential.

Is the skull man made of meat? Would he have bones sticking out.

What sort of things can you add into the background to break up the repeating bricks? Your goal with the pixels is to "hide the grid" 
 

[PixelPiledriver]

The bricks repeat a lot without much visual value.
Take some of them out and disperse them with meaningful balance.

The platforms and brick backdrop could use more separation.
Reducing the amount of bricks will help.
Find a color combination to differentiate them as well.

[KB90]

I think this is a cool idea.

It's empty so far. But it's got potential.

Is the skull man made of meat? Would he have bones sticking out.

What sort of things can you add into the background to break up the repeating bricks? Your goal with the pixels is to "hide the grid" 

Hi. Thanks for replay. it is still very much work in progress. Yes, the dude is made of meat, but I think I will make bigger body and maybe give him clothes or armor.

The bricks repeat a lot without much visual value.
Take some of them out and disperse them with meaningful balance.

The platforms and brick backdrop could use more separation.
Reducing the amount of bricks will help.
Find a color combination to differentiate them as well.

Hi, thanks for replay. Any color combination you could suggest?

I have made some improvements. It still looks empty...

[Yuushia]

Background is still too much repetitive. What about add some variations as for example : a hole in the wall, a window, a pillar, or some threatening vegetation running through the bricks ?  On the floor too : pots, bones, anything which could add deepness to your scene.

I am not sure of this, but I thing the overall piece seems a bit odd because there is no level-design/no real logic with the platform placement.

[eishiya]

I'd also like to see a mock-up with an actual level layout.
I think the most important thing right now is to make the platforms stand out and be immediately visible as something a player can jump/stand on. After that, you can worry about prettying up the background and conveying a sense of place with the art. The grass is a good start since it's bright and visible, but it's on only one platform.

[KB90]

Thank you for feedback.

I have made some improvements. What do you think? I will add some more details later.

[BadMoodTaylor]

Your last post looks like a definite improvement over the first.

I would say the floor is still lacking contrast with the background.  Floor is almost not noticeable at all.

The columns help break up the monotony of the background but may affect gameplay and look like solid columns, or just look a little off in general as you can't tell if it is gap in the wall or what.  I would recommend trying to vary brick color every once in a while.  If using a tilemap you could make a standard brick tile then one with a broken brick and one with an offcolor brick.

I would say the background is still a tad dark in general—first impression is almost as you are looking at nothing.

I messed around a little here—lightening and darkening areas just to see what it would look like:



Not saying any of these are keepers but I would play around like that until you find something you like.  I do think the varied brick color section looks pretty good though.