See More Avatars from: Luskwood
05 Oct 08 | List Price: L$
With the Fruit Bat, Luskwood displays their own sculpt-making skills with this cutesy avatar released in time for Halloween 2007. While a departure from the non-sculpted avatars they have made up until now, the style which made them popular lives on in the spirit of this avatar.
Out of the Box:
- Price: 1200L
- Available in either Male or Female Versions
- Assorted Colour Combinations
- Colourable eyes, ears, and fangs
- Hide-able hair and claws
- Animated tongue, fangs, eyebrows
- Full-featured Heads up Displays (HUD)
- Enhanced HUD with Body part selection
- HUD RGB selection for Colour customisation
- Special Batchat Sonar HUD
- Animated Walks, Sits, and Flying
- Particle Effects for flying
- Sounds (Take-offs, Wingflapping, etc.)
- Hidden Game Elements
Build and Skin
The skin is very simple and noticeably not detailed, which is not unusual from Luskwood. But given how this bat is meant to be more or less a cartoony, cute type of high-level texture detailing is really not needed. Not to say that all of the textures are not detailed; to the contrary, the head is textured very well, bringing it’s featured filled head more to life with angsty eyes and numerous possible facial expressions.
Aside from the expressions that the head is capable, the wings would be close to the most impressive element of this avatar. Not only do they flap when one flies, close on landing and will even wrap around the avatar at the user’s discretion. The HUD and chat commands make it possible for one to have, for example, one wing open, and the other open for a friend or significant other to cozy themselves up to.
The variety of colours to choose from range from natural, neutral tones, to a plethora of wild and interesting colour combinations as well.
Customisability and HUD
This avatar is, as usual, copiable and modifiable, which is excellent for further modification of avatar parts outside of HUD/voice command functionality that comes with the avatar. However, it should be noted that in terms of wearing normal clothing such as pants; the feet and legs aren’t made for that, so some modification would be needed. However, if there is no need to wear pants, the legs by themselves are just fine. Luskwood also offers a trenchcoat for the avatar in the box which is modifiable as well.
Getting back to the features of the avatar, the head allows for numerous facial expressions, through modification eyelid settings, (e.g. more open, closed, slanted eyes), eyebrow settings (for a more angry look, arched eyebrows, etc.), ear settings (pulled back, cocked straight, splayed to the sides, etc.) and tongue-wise. Without needing to manually modify anything, this avatar comes with enormous potential for customised expressiveness.
Conclusion
Luskwood stays true to its tried and true cutesy style while taking build quality and functionality to another step. By far, the avatar was thought of not only as an avatar in appearance, but in terms of functionality; it includes fun hidden game elements, a sonar for tracking other bats (Much like Non-Virtual bats are able to do), flight boosts, and a variety of well-done animations.
However, the avatar does have its shortcomings. Some may argue that some form of moveable jaw that would open and close while typing or voicechatting is a needed feature. As well, some would find the avatar too cute and toon-like, while others would have no issue. Irregardless of what view anyone takes, it’s a fun avatar for people who wish to add to their collection of avatars, or just wish to have something new.
This review was written by | Filed under Luskwood
Tagged bat, fruit bat, lusk, luskwood.
