I have an issue with the pure-top-down view, but I thought maybe I can pull this off and make something that looks cute.. But pure-100%-perpendicular-top-down comes with another big problem. Things don't look very relatable. We look at the world at eye level usually, all shapes make sense for us and look perfectly readable in this view. So the side-view is really awesome, animation and comics abuse eye level because it's really clear and readable, and easy to draw in. It's also kind of objective, not exaggerate, not too emotional.. Well. You can't have everything. Anyway, in top down you're basically looking at a map, even more objective in a way.. and the shapes are weird, not too readable not too relatable.. A tree is a bush, a person is a hat.. Quadrupeds look kind of interesting because of their horizontal pose and long spine. But you still lose a lot of important details that make them unique, they'll look too similar, and you have to rely on texture, color, exaggeration.. Complete lack of face.. and facial expression is another big issue in pure top down.
So my deep conclusion so far.. :D to stay simple and beautiful.. you've gotta love platformers. : D Which I actually do. And I draw in side view a lot.
So all's perfect, right? Except for 1 thing. I want to build a small army.