About the new HUD buttons Equip, Action, portrait ;
i find they not fit the game, they are squarry, it reminds low poly games !
And the color grey and some sort of bolts,make me think it's iron ! why agressive iron theme ? make a green 3D button like in Mario games !
Why not putting soft glowy HUD button , very well rounded ?
And theses icons have different shapes ? the user like to see same icons for a purpose like buttons with same shape !
If it was keys, would you like to find 4 key slots each with different shapes, no interest !
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I haven't done it well, but i mean a rounded 3D rendered Button with some soft shadow under it , would be great.
And why not some little glow.
And with the text at center of the button like Mario Galaxy, Zelda ! Putting text aside, forces player to look at button and description text !
With the text in the midlle of the button all information is at same place !
It's only design logic !
Better
Instead of text put icons it's lot better !
People visually decode more fast symbols than text !
So put a toon 3D sword in the action button, that would transformate into a cartoon 3D hand when in town !
For equip button, put a 3D cartoon bag icon on center of the button to mean equipment !
Well is just my opinion, ideas based on success games about HUD design
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Just my personnal opinion !