Japanese indie dev fixes “unnatural” running animation in response to feedback, only to be told the original one had more soul. Opinions split between “realism” and “originality”

Recently, a certain game developer posted about adjusting the running animations in their game in response to feedback that it “looked unnatural” when the character would charge with their sword drawn. However, after sharing the revised animations, the developer was flooded with comments saying they preferred the old animations, sparking a lively debate among fans and developers alike. AUTOMATON recently had the opportunity to reach out to the creator and directly ask them about the situation, and what the animations will ultimately look like.

The game at the center of attention is SaviorS: Oath of the Blade, a roguelite action RPG developed by Ouloboros Studio set to release in 2027. In the game, players explore a randomly generated world map from a top-down perspective, while combat plays out in a side-scrolling format.

Recently, Ouloboros has been making frequent updates on their X account regarding the title’s development, including the progress of the animations for the pixel-rendered characters that appear in the game. This is how the animation of the protagonist charging forward with her sword out ended up becoming a hot topic among users.

If you take a look at the original video, you’ll notice that, before the adjustments, the character ran in a slightly clumsy, yet cute manner, carrying her sword in a raised stance behind her shoulder. On the other hand, after the adjustments, she now runs with her sword pointing downwards. Her posture has also been shifted to a slightly forward-leaning stance, giving off a much “cooler” impression.

Since the footage was posted, it sparked a wide range of reactions on X. While some said that the adjusted version looks cooler and more typical for a fantasy swordswoman, many have expressed a preference for the original animation, describing it as “having unique character,” being “adorable,” and “giving rookie vibes.” Judging by all the comments and quotes, it seems like the opinions are almost evenly split.

But what will the running animation ultimately look like? Ouloboros told us that, after reviewing all the feedback, they think both animations have their unique appeal. Currently, they plan to incorporate elements from both, and said they are considering developing a system where the character’s sword stance and running style change with growth. They explained that players might enjoy seeing their character develop more refined movements as they gain battle experience and embark on more adventures.

SaviorS: Oath of the Blade is scheduled to release on PC (Steam) in 2027.

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