Backgrounds C&C Please :)

[Lobo Bobo]

Hi guys... So, I'm working on a game I made with a few guys on a game jam and I need to improve my backgrounds and tileset. I'm still new to pixel art and stuff so I need a few tips on how to improve this stuff.

(In game there is some parallax going on with these layers)



(Couldn't find the original on this one so I printed it from my portfolio page... I'm not with my computer right now)




And here is a preview on how the first BG looks in game, with the tileset I made

(It's a screenshot from the game on the browser)
Disclaimer: I didn't make the characters nor the chains.

[MysteryMeat]

First looks great. No complaints.
Second one, the rocks look a bit too... rounded, I guess. It'd make sense if it were a riverbed or a slick area but from the looks of it it's just a cave? it's unclear what's really happening, are the rocks a wall face? floating stones? something else..?
Work on that one.

Third one, the floating islands look pretty numerous and the waterfalls coming off them look like sheets of plastic/slime.
It might help to give everything a fog blanket for the water to fade off into.

[Cyangmou]

try to lead the eye where it needs to be.
tone down the unimportant details.
enhance the visibility of the parts important for the game.

push the background back and the foreground forwards, the charactes already read clearly.

[Lobo Bobo]

First looks great. No complaints.
Second one, the rocks look a bit too... rounded, I guess. It'd make sense if it were a riverbed or a slick area but from the looks of it it's just a cave? it's unclear what's really happening, are the rocks a wall face? floating stones? something else..?
Work on that one.

Third one, the floating islands look pretty numerous and the waterfalls coming off them look like sheets of plastic/slime.
It might help to give everything a fog blanket for the water to fade off into.

Yeah, I didnt had a clue abou what I was doing on that second BG, looked thru a lot of pixel rock references and didn't quite know where to go or what to do. I will study more to make it work!

I will also work on that one with the floating islands.


@Cyangmou
Took note of that and will work on the remake of these with your tips in mind.


Thank you guys :p