These threads are always such a sad mess. People get confused between practicality, realism and verisimilitude. It then descends into the usual routine of taking things entirely out of context, comparing them to an arbitrary undeclared standard and then decalring them "impractical" when the poster generally means "I dont like this". I was actually impressed by the OP because they avoided that. Samus's shoulder pads are indeed impractical within the context of her fictional universe because of the reasons the op stated. Sadly after that the thread descended into the usual mess. Pro-tip: If the character in question isnt hindred by it within the context of their fiction universe then it generally isnt impractical, or in short, impractical and unrealistic are not synonyms. Sure, its likely impractical in the real world, but thats why videogames, etc. are works of fiction not non-fiction documentarys. It's more interesting to find situations like those outlined in the OP where the character design should be impractical in context.
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Impractical character designs
- Thread starter Maffis
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Alx
Member
Is there a canon explanation for that belt ? I always assumed it was a sort of limiter, something like preventing him to unleash his full power and become too dangerous...
pinkurocket
Member
I always thought Samus' Varia Suit shoulder pads were there to allow for cooling, like it has some intricate liquid cooling system or whatever running through them. It's her upgraded suit so it needs to properly manage all those technologies. I always thought her suit was well-designed because it's not your typical skin-tight super technologically advanced suit.
The horizontal bulk isn't that much different from football shoulder pads, it makes her a bit taller and I guess it would be heavy but saying she would be too weak to handle that suit is sexist.
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The horizontal bulk isn't that much different from football shoulder pads, it makes her a bit taller and I guess it would be heavy but saying she would be too weak to handle that suit is sexist.
<ShemhazaiX
Member
Yeah, but armour in real life was from a very specific point in time. There have been times when armour wasn't around and people fought practically naked (depending on climate) and then you have post Medieval periods where armour was completely pointless because of the abundance of firearms. Also, in a lot of fantasy games you have to think about the internal consistency of living in a world with magic and a higher density of archers, both rendering regular armour a lot weaker and skewing the desired defensive traits towards maximum agility. If anything, the armour that men wear in games is a lot more impractical. I vote all MMOs move to a more Spartan style for their armour sets.
Sioul
Member
Look the strip on the grip and scabbard, I don't think he can draw the katana out
Winterfang
Banned
Not in Mass Effect. Commander Shepard wears armor because he is a soldier but a lot of your crew doesn't wear that type of armor, because they have shields/barrier. Is mostly a look thing. And they look pretty awesome.
Jill'd be pulling up that top every 5 seconds.
And pulling that miniskirt down. Not to mention running in a tight miniskirt is a bad idea.
Mind blown really.
I know a lot of troops through the history wielded both a lance (or a pike, or a halberd, etc.) and a sword. Usually they used the pole-arm in charges and then chaged to swords for close combat, but i never heard of a style combining the two of them...
Do you have a link?
TheLostBigBoss
Banned
Anyone would see those lights in the dark.
Those lights don't exist, they are a reference point for the player in extreme darkness.
In fact (at least in the earlier games) if you looked at a mirror I'm pretty sure you wouldn't see the lights.
Winterfang
Banned
Doesn't look that tight. But yeah when my friends wear a tank top they are always lifting their shirt, is amusing.
CountAntonius
Member
Why would a bad ass cybernetic ninja wear heels?
Why would a bad ass cybernetic ninja wear heels?
To wield his sword with his feet. Don't ask me how that works though.
plasmawave
Banned
Why would a bad ass cybernetic ninja wear heels?
So he can wield katanas with his feet?
CountAntonius
Member
Mexen
Member
Lazy game design
Looks pretty damn tight here, certainly tight enough to make it harder to run:
The way I see it, the skirt would either rip along the seams, or end up all wrapped up around Jill's hips after a short sprint. Either option would make it more comfortable actually.
I think he wraps his foot around the katana's handle while the heel holds it in place. Not that it's super realistic either, but whatever.
User 73706
Banned
So, Space Marines basically have the
Given how small of a profile he has in that cloak, it's possible that he's not in full armor in that shot. It might have gotten too damaged to sustain him so he had to offload some of the pieces.
What is the cloak used for？？？
Given how small of a profile he has in that cloak, it's possible that he's not in full armor in that shot. It might have gotten too damaged to sustain him so he had to offload some of the pieces.
40k accepts no substitutes.
Why would a bad ass cybernetic ninja wear heels?
>Not knowing that you run faster and have better support and impulse when just on your toes due to flexibility
>For extended periods a support for the heel is required so that you continue to have more impulse but at the same time have more stability, also when walking regularly the heel serves as a resting spot so your muscles won't stress up
>Not realising the front part of the shoe is flexible while the back is rigid to enable said mechanic
>Questions design
C'mon son, it's almost like you never ran properly in your life.
Immediately thought of that too.
Crossing Eden
Hello, my name is Yves Guillemot, Vivendi S.A.'s Employee of the Month!
Uhhh, I was in track for years, we definitely weren't wearing high heels to "run properly." Which Raiden doesn't do anyway.
Actually...Looks pretty damn tight here, certainly tight enough to make it harder to run:
The way I see it, the skirt would either rip along the seams, or end up all wrapped up around Jill's hips after a short sprint. Either option would make it more comfortable actually.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-A9wEN-XiM#t=84
hey_monkey
Banned
I can't believe there's even some back-and-forth on whether a strapless-tube-style top and a fucking miniskirt is practical fightin' gear.
Someone get me a ridiculous gif and a whiskey, please.
Someone get me a ridiculous gif and a whiskey, please.
I didn't say you need heels to run, they are there to support the weight of the body in a upright position.
If you notice he keeps his legs flexed and the weight of his body on his toes, this is the optimal position for reactions/running but the human body can't maintain it for long without over stressing the lower part of the calfs and stability can be trained (at the expense of more stress on the calfs) but is still an issues when stationary, hence heels.
I was also on track, and short distance sprint, and parkour and study human physiology
Edit: if you still don't see what I mean look at leg prosthetics designed for running.
Corronchilejano
Member
You never wonder why there are no adequately explained reasons why barely clothed characters can withstand multiple stabs/slashes/hits in exposed areas but fully armored anonymous NPCs can barely receive a punch before they're dead or worse? Why even wear armor then?
I know, to conceal them and make them truly anonymous...
But fine then... Dead Space 2s hacker suit:
Defense aside, you're supposed to go into outer space with it sometimes... how? That thing barely covers your face!
hey_monkey
Banned
Okay, I had some coffee and I feel slightly better about the universe. So here's the thing about Jill's outfit. First, the sweater tied around her waist is ridiculous. There's certainly no practical reason for it. Second, can a girl get a pocket? I mean, I know you're not exactly rolling in inventory extras, but if I was running around fighting, I would definitely want at least one holding-stuff receptacle on my bod. Third, either the skirt is tight and impedes movement, or it's flared as in that video and can then catch on things (which is also why huge trenchcoats are impractical), but whatever, that's a small thing (I'd want my legs covered in general in that situation due to the ick factor if nothing else, but again, mostly pockets. pockets, people.). The BIG thing is the top.
I don't care what kind of fashion tape or glue or silicone strip is in that thing -- it's not standing up to action rolls and running and gunning or anything else. But worse still, is she even wearing a bra? If so, it's some ridiculous strapless number. Let me tell you something here: if you're gonna be seriously active, you need to strap that shit down. My running bras are feats of fucking engineering. They are like steel plating. Why? Because otherwise I feel like I'm going to die. Dudes don't even know.
And, I mean, no one pays attention to that in movies or games; it's not part of character design. Let the titties bounce free! But if we're talking about practical-for-the-situation in any real way? Naw, son. Let me pass homegirl a double-layered moisture-wicking motherfucking bra (and some sleeves) (and a pocket).
I don't care what kind of fashion tape or glue or silicone strip is in that thing -- it's not standing up to action rolls and running and gunning or anything else. But worse still, is she even wearing a bra? If so, it's some ridiculous strapless number. Let me tell you something here: if you're gonna be seriously active, you need to strap that shit down. My running bras are feats of fucking engineering. They are like steel plating. Why? Because otherwise I feel like I'm going to die. Dudes don't even know.
And, I mean, no one pays attention to that in movies or games; it's not part of character design. Let the titties bounce free! But if we're talking about practical-for-the-situation in any real way? Naw, son. Let me pass homegirl a double-layered moisture-wicking motherfucking bra (and some sleeves) (and a pocket).
Corronchilejano
Member
Spoilers... I guess?
Adria can't turn around easily. With that shape, she can barely move at all. I dunno if her legs come off her back or her head, but it's a good thing she doesn't make it out alive of her battle.
Pyrrhus
Member
I'm not disagreeing with anything you're saying, but wasn't Jill just kind of caught unaware on an off day when the Zombie Apocalypse rolled into Raccoon City? You know, just wearing whatever she happened to be wearing when the events started? I mean, if she were deliberately out and about with the intent of fighting zombies you think she'd at least get that little number with the beret and shoulder pads before stepping out. Now, as for why she didn't get some tactical armor when she went through the police station...?
Mac the KNife
Member
Yes. I also realize that most women don't plan on running for their lives when they wear them.
Another good point. Jill was off her game that day.
SixMachine
Member
In the old days boob plating would divert a thrust toward the center (which the the opposite of what you want). But in modern combat with firearms which ME is closer to, large plates of armor for personnel aren't used to my knowledge. There are plates woven into it but you wouldn't see anything like a large metal breastplate you see some sci-fi soldier having. Kevlar for body armor are made of synthetic fibers and you don't get to see the person's figure under it. But I know people are trying to develop exoskeletons so maybe futuristic armored sci-fi soldiers will be a reality one day but I doubt the military would personalize armor to have boobs on it since breasts can fit fine under armor (women can put on a knight's breastplate just fine for example).
Ask wakka.
The best thing is as much as Nomura loves zippers the dress doesn't have one so it is impossible for her to take it off (if it is please enlighten me because I can't imagine how).
Hibiki Kurosawa
Member
Lightning in FFXIII has one impractical sword sheath. You can't run properly with that. Also, wear some pants.
hey_monkey
Banned
No, that's fair, but my eyes would be peeled for some duct tape or something. Anything. But it's impractical design all the way down. At least change out the stupid shirt for the sweater.
I'll stop. This particular one is a pet soapbox and I'll go all day if I'm unchecked.
I'm tired of seeing giant fuck-off swords wrapped in toilet paper. Actual real life swords have much better designs. Just feels like the usual dumb JRPG design philosophy of more is better.
It kinda annoyed me in Dark Souls 2 how they made some of the weapons much larger than they need to be. In the first one, excluding some rarer items, most weapons weapons were plausible.
It kinda annoyed me in Dark Souls 2 how they made some of the weapons much larger than they need to be. In the first one, excluding some rarer items, most weapons weapons were plausible.
???
The weapons in Dark Souls 2 are generally the same size as those in the first game. Ultra great swords are wider, but they're still pretty massive in Dark Souls.
I'm fine with giant weapons as long as they're the minority and they actually feel like giant weapons that are unwieldy but powerful.
Mostmanlyman
Member
Dark souls 1 and 2 halbreds and there spinning move
I really hate the idea of the just spinning to hit things. Who in there right mind would spin like that you couldn't hit anything and once you did you would just stop spinning.
I really hate the idea of the just spinning to hit things. Who in there right mind would spin like that you couldn't hit anything and once you did you would just stop spinning.
Riposte
Member
In Dark Souls you wield giant weapons (even two at a time) after achieving super-human strength.
Sheriff_Battlesnake
Banned
Overdesigned swords is a big pet peeve of mine as well. I especially don't like overly thick looking swords in 3D games either. I don't know if they do for practical reasons so you can see them well from every angle or something.
When looking for swords to transmogrify my current weapon with in World of Warcraft, I have a real hard time finding anything worthwhile from post-vanilla content. It seems they just jumped the shark at some point and never looked back.
TheJollyCorner
Member
Jill'd be pulling up that top every 5 seconds.
That would have been a fantastic idle animation in game.
Dice//
Banned
The best thing is as much as Nomura loves zippers the dress doesn't have one so it is impossible for her to take it off (if it is please enlighten me because I can't imagine how).
Agreed. It's the only time I've ever liked the zips and belts that Nomura has otherwise used too often in his designs (ironically, this is the biggest cluster of them in one design yet the only time I feel it works).
It kinda works for that goth look too; I find there's a share of gothic attire that is sexy, different, a little impractical, but in a unique place. Lulu being the BLACK MAGE, it feels like a good fit.
For the most part, I love Lightning's design.... but yeah, your MC does flips and kicks, and she's wearing a fucking mini skirt? I doubt people would like her less if she wore short-shorts or pants (it's not like she flashed anyone in a mini-skirt anyways if they DID want to go the sex-appeal route). Dumb.
Also snowballing in MGS's Quiet. I hate everything about this design. Remember when Ghost in the Shell used camouflage? She wore a skin-coloured suit
(most of the time)
Yeah, I have a problem with it as well. I'm mostly OK with designers going to town with sword handles, and I don't mind sword size as long as it seems appropriately heavy, but I can't stand dumb shaped blades with so much ornamentation everywhere they should count as blunt weapons.
Example offender:
I loved Dragon's Dogma but this shit looks more like a decorative shovel than a weapon.
Came to post this. It looks cool but yeah, totally goes against the whole stealth concept.
Anyone would see those lights in the dark.
Pro from Dover
Member
I don't really mind if the design of the character in a work of fiction is practical BUT sometimes the most random things caught my attention like this one:
That connected sleeve in between her legs bother me so much =/
Bet she's a jump-rope master!
Iorv3th
Member
You will regret your words. - Kojima
You can rest easy, they have energy shields in Mass Effect.
And even if they didn't, (most of?) Mass Effect's heavier armors don't have sculpted cleavages and actually leave plenty of space between the outer armor and the character's chest. They might actually be safer than the male equivalents.
Basically what I'm saying is: male Shapard probably should wear boob armor. It's more fair AND safe that way.
Rest
All these years later I still chuckle at what a fucking moron that guy is.
Everybody has force fields, and everyone's armor/clothing is constantly pumping little bits of medigel into into small wounds and oh my god I need to stop typing the sentence.Also forgot to mention, but if you ever take a good look at Jack, she doesn't really wear a shirt ( I didn't notice she basically only had a bondage strap as a top until my second playthrough). Those tattoos work as well as that N7 space armor. Though the reasoning for her durability to bullets is space magic.
ClaptoVaughn
Member
People honestly believed Sam Fisher's green lights literally existed in his world? They're there for the player as a reference point in pitch darkness, and for a dash of cool factor.
The sheer absurdity that enemies dont spot it and that Fisher would even wear something like that if they could, should tell you what the devs intended.
The sheer absurdity that enemies dont spot it and that Fisher would even wear something like that if they could, should tell you what the devs intended.
Tye The Czar
Member
She's a witch. That's the only way to explain it.
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