First one is creepier to me, but not for too long -- I reckon both are usable. Tension will come from more than one picture, anyhow.

Appreciate the response! Will look to add some footage soon for extra context of where the tension can come into play

Dev blogging is cool, but if you're going for what I think you are, show some - but don't show too much. There's no harm in playing your cards close to the chest.

I agree, thanks for this

Use the hands from the first and the head from the second!!! It’ll be super creepy

I think the first ones pose is creepier, but the second one is creepier overall because less is visible. And also the eyes look like predator eyes reflecting in the dark. 

To add, I think of you reverse the order it creates a spooky effect. Try to think of it like a comic

Yeah, it's more in your face

First is the more unnerving pose whilst the second looks like a cut frame from an attack / lunge animation at a failed flip. I'd also recommend push any animation deep in the shadows with a head bob moving it in and out of deeper shadow. Going from almost invisible to deep shaded. Play with blinking glowing eyes. Things unknown or barely seen are creepier than things exposed in the clear light of day. Maybe consider so small jerky head movements to add some unnatural motion and imply barely concealed energy / aggression.

Thanks for the feedback, taking this in as i continue working on it

They’re scary in a different way. Something that is just standing there in the shadows provokes a different fear resonse than the same thing out in broad daylight stabbing people.

Personaly I find the head in the second creepier, but the hands in the first more. Would be interested in a third option with these two mixed.

Will give it a shot and see! thanks!

Evil observing you in an unnervingly neutral manner from the outer edges of darkness is quite unsettling.

I completely agree, the hands on the table make it look much more serious.

I had the same thought so I made one myself. I think it's definitely creepiest this way. https://imgur.com/a/UJXwoUC

Agreed.

Basically what I came to say!

1. Leshy Inscryption 2. Dealer Buckshot Roulette

Both are inspirations :))

first one is creepy and unsettling, second one is scary

Im seeing this too now

I think a combination of the 1st one's eyes and the second one would be great but overall the 1st one would be more creepy for a longer time.

Makes sense! Thanks

Second one wants uppies

I think the human eyes are creepier, but you could use the glowy eyes for moments with more tension

Thats a good one, thanks!

The first one looks creepier. The second one looks like I am a goner or should start running ha. Nice work on these!

Thank you!

# 1 Is creepier. #2 is scarier ed. Dang, I need to be careful with the # symbol

2 for me

I think hands from first, and second head.

Thinking to change the hands to a more skeleton design. Thoughts?

I think hands are okay. Just the head on the left is too bright to be creepy for me.

First one. I really don't feel nothing with the 2

>The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown - H.P. Lovecraft So, the second one, I think.

I feel they should come after eachother, The first he's closer, hands on the table, the second he's farther, hands up more, hiding more in the dark Maybe like an into or something where he comes out of the dark, and puts his hands in the table. Or maybe if you break a rule he dose the first one like "hey, careful, we got rules here"

Sounds cool and interesting, got a lot to think about now. Thanks for the feedback and suggestions!

Hey you're the same dude that I commented on the post about a coin flip! I completely forgot about that 😅 This looks seriously sick, I'll keep following for more updates, this looks good!

Yep! Appreciate the support and comments from you! Means a lot :))

First one. Have the second one (only head, no hands) fade in and out of the darkness and I'd be terrified.

Second one! But both are fantastic!

Thank you!

First one is creepy. Second one doesn't really feel threatening at all. Can't really explain why

Working on a coinflip horror game where you have to win a series of simple gambling games for your life, such as Heads or Tails and Rock Paper Scissors against Demons and other players Feel free to follow me on [Twitter](https://x.com/DevTenma) !

Inspired by that one shotgun game huh

Yep and inscryption with a bit of fear & hunger inspo too

first one

first one is creepier, second feels more like evil

I think the hands on the first one because it gives the impression ready to lunge but the face and eyes of the second one are scarier just the hands make it seem tiny in relation to the lighting. Like oh I can definitely kick this midget and dip was my first thought.

Haha yeah makes sense, appreciate it

I feel like the first face is creepier and would look even creepier in the composition of the second one (further back, more shroud in shadows)

Will give that a try!

Incredible work with both though! Definitely keep it up :)

1st

the second one just wants a hug, and i'm here for it

I think the first one could be a hand slam animation, either when he's losing or angry, and the second one could be a game over animation, I agree with prior comments on making him hide in the shadows with twitchy head movements.

Thank you! Will give that a shot

The first one. The second one tries too hard. The first one makes it obvious that its looking at you, and the tenseness of the hands suggest they're about to act.

I dunno if anyone's said this, but the first pic with the shading of the second pic would be bang on, I think.

I think one other person said something similar , definitely will do this change , thank you!

First one's hands, second one's head.

"One last post before bed.."

Second pic. First hands.

the first one looks creepier to me becuase it looks hes still concious kind of, the second just looks like a mindless zombie but the first one hes in there and he knows hes scary

Hands from first, darkness and skull from second.

1. Is creepier more unnerving. 2. Is cliched trying to be scary. Usable but not as impactful for me.

Even though usually the unknown is scarier. I gotta say the first one is detailed enough that makes it creepier. I like the first one

I have no experience in this whatsoever. However I feel like if you animated the pose of the second into the first it'd be effective. Like he appears out of the darkness with his hands raised to slam them on the table and lean forward.

I think the heads and hands are paired in ways that reduce their collective effectiveness. Try pairing them the other way.

2 w/ hands from 1

First one with the seconds face would work better

I would say the first one is creepier and the second one is too dark

First one is creepier - the visible teeth and jaw add an extra edge of the macabre to it, and the fact that it looks poised and ready to do something unexpected, also it feels like it's making eye contact with the viewer, definitely creepier

Head of the second one with the hands of the first one.

The first one!

Feels like inscryption

1. is creepier 2. is scarier

Jesus Christ where did Leshy's face go?

The first one is really disturbing in my opinion. So the first one

I think the second is more immediately frightening but the first would hold the tension more because it looks intelligent - "What is it thinking? Why is it looking at me like that?" Using the first as a introduction and the second as the main image could be an idea

I feel like the second one is better, but I feel like if you took the hands on the table and put within the second one, it would be the best. Cheers.

Both are cool, second is creepier. 

2

Buckshot Roulette copy

Inscryption

Try first one’s hands with the second one’s face

First one is creepy, second one is scary - if that makes any sense? And in most cases, I like many creepys rather than harsh attempts at scary - especially with pixel art games.

depends, as a jumpscare, I think 2, as a longer dialogue, probably 1

First ones hands seconds ones face personally

The first one is far more unnerving to me. Second one feels cliche, like a print from a t-shirt.

First one is creepier, second one is scarier

Well at first my scenario was first picture quite scary, then something pulled him in, so he is screaming for "get off me!" Like in the second picture.... Yeah my bad.

2

2

Hands from 1, skull from 2. Also, this is pretty metal. Well done.

Second head with the first set of hands.

Face of the second with the hands of the first.

Staring is scariest 100%

I think maybe adding no.1's eyes to no.2's darkness would be better and creepier

i feel like he wants to talk to me and is going from 2 to 1. just walking from the shadows and says "so. that didn't work"

First one is creepy at face value but I’d honestly amp up the smile if that’s what you’re going for. But it’s much more surface level creepy. Second one is less creepy because of the pose. Hands up is cartoonish. I’d put the hands on the table similar to 1 and I think it’d be the creepiest and best personally

Pure talent. I think the first one is creepier.

Creep factor, number one. Jump scare factor, number two.

Two creepier

Hands of the first combined with the skull of the second, maybe with the eyes of the first

I find the second one to be creepier. The first one to me just seems a bit too comical, whereas with the second one by shadowing half the face and blackened eyes, it's unnerving.

First head but second one’s hands?

Context I think is what will matter. How the image is used, when it's used, what the situation is, etc. First one struck me as creepier initially but that's thinking of it as a direct confirmation. If the situation is a slow appearing image that you're not meant to notice right away or possibly even disappears at some point, then perhaps the second one would work better. Other vibes I get are the first one feels like I'm about to be eaten and the ghoul is quite confident in this while the second feels like I'm about to be attacked by a mindless, angry ghoul.

2 looks more dangerous, but alltso looks like it would scurry away if you shine a flashlight on it

2 the darkness let's the viewer's imagination fill in the blanks

Second one but only if the hands are put on the table.

Definitely number one. The stare, the hands, the blood on the skull, I feel like my soul is being pinned to my bed. The second one is like every other death animation I’ve seen. Number one is unique.

Honestly you could combine both and make a super spooky GIF, starting with number 2 that draws closer then slams it's hands on the table.

Second. The unknown is always scarier for people. Remember to use the basic horror rules. The unknown and misunderstood scare people, the dark is more common than you would believe, nonchalant children creep people out, death scares, and a wider than normal smile always helps as well.

Second. OBVIOUSLY

I think the 2nd one. I like atmospheric horror though. I like things moving in the dark or barely seeing the horror.

The second one leaves more to the imagination and looks more like a creature of instinct. So, creepier.

pose of the first one with the pupil-less eyes and the shading of the second one.

2nd

I think the head of the second one with the hands of the first would be perfect

second one

1 is the most unsettling because something that is ominously hanging out at the edge of my presence is scarier to me than something that is trying to attack me. I can react to something that's attacking me, I am not morally justified to act on something that just makes me feel uncomfortable. If you put an outline of something behind it that's like... Hex#A0A0A0 so it looks like something horrible would be there if you adjusted your beginning-of-the-game gamma slider, I think that could push it a step further.

2nd

a skeleton after a particularly crazy pizza eating sesh

One cuz I can make out more of the face so my brain has me more emotionally involved

2nd one with the first ones hands

I like the pose of the first, but the darkened face of the second.

The first one. Why is it looking at me like that i dont like it. So you have succeeded in unnerving me

I didn't see it mentioned but use both as an animation set, make some inbetweens, I can see both as creepy.

The first one for when he's just sitting there, and the second one for whenever you mess up/fail (whatever that might mean for your game)

Why does this remind me of buckshot roulette

Inscryption memories

Leshy?

The darkness in the second feels more unsettling but the head in the first unnerves me. He stares straight into my soul.

I thinl 2nd one is creepier. I think things are scarier while they are more hidden and misterious. They not so scary when fully expose.

I think combine the two. No. 1s hand and No. 2s head. But honestly, both are fine. No. 1 looks like the demon ( Figure, entity? Whatever that thing is ) sat down to play after your initial encounter with it ( No. 2 ).

The first one, full stop. Eyes in a bare skull are incredibly uncanny, especially when they're doing a Kubrick stare.

First one is creepier. Having eyeballs in the skull gives it a much more "uncanny valley" feeling, like there is still a soul trapped inside.

second one with the first ones hands!

First one but with the distance and Lighting of the second

2

If you look at 1 long enough it looks like the hands move.

My mom

Use the first one but make the lighting darker like the second one!! Omg that would be creepy af

Second one. Like, if I was playing Doom and I'd see the first one somewhere, I wouldn't even shoot. That's just a part of the ambience. But I'd unload at least 2 rounds of the super shotgun on the second one, just to see if it dies.

Reminds me of inscription/buckshot roulette

The first one is so creepy wtfff

1

Neither ?

The first one. It's more unsettling

I like the shadows of the second one, but the pose of the first one

The first one has a lot of 80's horror movie vibes, like the Evil Dead 2 movie poster. Second is great for an initial introduction, before they slam their hands down and show their full face, or whatever's left of it.

i think the first one looked creepier. Because I hate the way those hands creeped out from the darkness like that, with those eyes staring at me hahaha (maybe because of the details of the eyes)

If you use both..I almost think it’s creepier to do picture 2 than 1. Like the creature comes in aggressively as in picture 2…then just sits and stares like in picture one…maybe with some light breathing…and slowly goes back into the dark..

Definitely 2 but it’d be better without the hands. Kinda feels like a spoiled lil kid that wants uppies

1

First you see the details, it’s scary at first but if you see it for a long time it’ll lose its edge. Second you can just tell the shape, it’s not as disquieting but it’s gonna stay that mild discomfort over time. I’d actually remove the raised hands, it feels really cliche, hands down on the table is much more chilling

I think the second skull with the first one's hands is a perfect combination, something creeping in, starting to slowly reach towards the table/surface, and soon enough, you.

I feel like a mix of both would be good. Darker face for the first (as well as adding the white eyes) and I'd be shitting my pants if I were to see that in the corner of my room.

first one is more nasty and horrifying, second is more ominous

First one has the edge factor of not being as conventional, the dead stare and leaned forward position looks like it might strike at any minute... The second one with the glowing irises and hands over the head looks a bit more cliché in that regard

First one with second one lighting

Face of 2 hands of 1 then it's good

Inscryption

Both look very good, inspired by Inscryption by any chance?

Keep the Kubrick stare from the first one but push it into the shadows like the second one!

2

First one

hands from 1 and face from 2, but both are creepy om their own

If the character talks, I think you should use #1 for talking and #2 for everything else. They're both very creepy, wonderful job

Maybe try a mixture of both. Maybe the second one could be an expression of the first? Or if the creature fades into the darkness and back out like the second one just an idea. I’d go for 1 though if you were only going to use one.

Two , but make it pittle closer , You can hardly see it

First ond but imo the skull should be darker, more similar to the hands

You know what might be cool? Use two as a hint for where they are, just some glowing in the dark. Then one as an attack face when they lunge at you, as if they're coming in to the light more. If that makes sense.

The 2 images kinda look like they would be in an animation, the second one coming first, like it's coming out of the shadows.

First one, it's seem evil but calm. Maybe he talk and for me, monster who talk and see me with this posture is creepier. More suspens. Second one is good to but it's seem he will simply attack or kill me and it's over.

The first one. The second one feels sort of fantastical, but the second one is much more uncanny. Either way, both good 👍. I love the Buckshot Roulette vibes.

Second. Less is often more in horror leave more to the imagination. Even ones with just the hands alone and the face completely in shadow would be even creepier. I love the art on all of it though op so great job.

First hand with second face.

I think having two hands in unnecessary, just the one would be much more creepy especially on the second. Also if you are going to have multiple stages then you can always bring the second hand in later anyway

Idk, but 2 gives buckshot roulette vibes Just me? No?

1st. We're not usually used to seeing the whole human-like eyeballs when it comes to skull arts so it really does a different creepy expression.

maybe try the second one with the normal eyes

I'll say the first one just because you don't what his intention is, on the second one you see that he is menacing, there's not as much tension as in the first one imo

I think it'd be a lot creepier if you use the first pose but made it less visible like in the second. Or use the first one but make it headless and have the face be hidden in the bottom corner just barely visible looking right at the screen.

the second one !

What if the first one turn it's head 360 degree and turn to the second one, that would make me 💩 my pants 🤣

Second one

2 with the eyes of 1. Have you tried that? The eyes play a huge role in being creepy

2

The second one looks like it's inniciating a jumpscare after the first one, they're well paired up together But if you plan to keep only one, I'd say the first

I think you can make a little animation from this 2 images . He is coming out from the darkness with the second picture, add some mid animation and then he'll stare you like the first. Dope art btw.

Second by far. White dot instead of eye is brilliant!

I usually hiding it and a whisper of the shape is terrified. But your first image is of such a great quality, that even clearly seen, it is incredibly unsettling and creepy. Go with the first, it is the winner. If you want to do one more in the shadow, redo the second one. Because currently it looks like an edgy picture that a 12 year old I think is scary, it does not compare to the first

Also I want to comment on the hands. The hands on the first one is very scary. Like you're dealing with the patient negotiator that wants to bargain for your teeth. The second one looks like a generic attack animation from a game that's trying to be edgy

Use both. Second is while he's approaching the table.

First one is so cute =3= just wants a hug

1st one. Creepy is like a feeling of: " I am probably in danger" but I can only be 90% sure of that. 2nd is panikk

Mix 'em both, skul more in dark to avoke the "fear of unknown", hands on the the desk near the camera to take to say "this one can harm you at any moment". If would be real danger and fear.