Reviews for Surface EP 2 (Part 2/ 2)

[FightingSeraph]

This isn't going to be easy for me to explain.

Max, Steve, it's been a long time since you last submitted something here. That and it took a lot of balls to upload something that's three to four years old. However, judging by this (2007) and the latest Kazahana episode (2010), you two haven't improved at all.

Graphics: Just like Chester Kwan of Totally BS fame, along with Legendary Frog, Rhete, and Image Nation; this has no notable visual improvement, even by 2007 standards. There's not much in terms of character animation aside from tweened gestures, blinking, and lip sync. However, I really like how you used gradients for those columns. I suggest you guys get some books on basic drawing/animation/direction techniques so when you guys return to this, the results would look much better. Look, I believe that not everything needs the best graphics, but enough to get the point across. On the other hand, I can't stand it when people make no real improvement.
Audio: You guys did a great job on the music and sound effects, while the voice acting leaves a lot to be desired. They didn't have much in terms of emotion or distinction although it was bearable. Another issue with the voices are that they didn't sync up with the mouth movements, and one voice had hissing going on.
Content: This is what pretty much saves this from getting a much lower score. I haven't seen the previous episodes to this, but your story is really interesting. It kept me watching all the way through, and the direction/pace were decent most of the time. Kudos for including quality toggle buttons, which is something that more people should consider.

The Good:
-Interesting plot and characters
-Original
-Good pace
-Fitting music

The Bad:
-Even by '07 standards, this looks outdated and boring to look at.
-The voices were sub-par and poorly synchronized.
-Could have used better colors, and the shading at times looked sloppy.

Overall: I think another seven from me would be fitting for this. However, I still like Xin and your live action short film.

[Horsenwelles]

its okay

when your writing is cliche and your characters are all the pretentious "stare at an off angle that implies dramatic clause character", you dont have much groundwork to end a story with.

not to mention that 1 tween of a decent anime drawing and a white looping graphic for talking isn't very... professional in the least. it shows you were lazy with the actual product.

as for the art, its just basic, mildly-sloppy anime characters that all react how they would in any other stock late 90's anime. the voice acting is okay, but its definitely not perfect, although i don't expect it to be.

not a wonderful piece, but its at least something. it at least tries to have a coherent story thats somewhat engaging. my final thoughts? well... if you like to browse anime just to watch the same tired cliches over and over because you think its "cute" or "brooding", then you'll probably fall in love with this. i give it a modest recommendation just for the voice acting.

[floyd493]

is so uncreatif

i don't want to hate and everything, mostly because i can not make it myself but its like one really big cliché if you know what i mean
every body gets on a place. riped out of there normal life's whit lots of fuckt up stuff, and although it should be scaring like shit, everybody is cool and relaxed and they already know like 50 per cent of the shit. i where like what the freak.
you get a 7 for the animating and a 4 for the story sow that gives you a 5.5
sorry man

[CreativeBlynk]

Interesting concept. Reminds me a lot of the anime "GANTZ". Also happens to be one of my favorites.

[Tyler]

Okay.

I'm completely unfamiliar with your previous work, and I realize this was completed five years ago, in which time tastes and accepted standards have changed. However, publishing an animation from then doesn't excuse it from today's standards and I will review it accordingly.

The art is very minimal, all anime cliched poses such as darkening parts of the face out, pushing of the glasses and so on. Also annoying gradients and flat colors make it a bore to look at. The more painterly art right before you show the globe is at least interesting to look at. I'd suggest shying away from the pencil or line tools in the future.

There seriously is no animation aside from wiggling tweened hands and fingers and lip movement. Theres no emotion, and for such easy movements, there could really be more effort put into them. Or at least more effort into lip synch. The mouth shapes don't match up half the time, or change in emotion of any kind. With dialogue being the only somewhat redeeming value of this short, more effort should have gone into the characters expressing it.

The voices are okay, the guy with the glasses is annoying to listen to.

As for the story, it was a struggle to pay attention.

Anyway, even though this is old, it doesn't keep up with the times. While I have never heard of the series beforehand, it doesn't do justice to long term fans either for releasing so many years later.

In short, fine for 2007, not for 2012.