Opinion please on a shortcut

I'm a slow modeler and skinner. The process from concept
to skinned and textured character is kind of slow because
of the limited amount of time I have.

I'm thinking of using NPC on quads instead of creating
them in 3D. This is a screenshot of one of those using
some concept art from FF IX. I wondering should I or
shouldn't I.

I'm also planning minimal animations system so the
NPC would turn its head to face the direction towards the
player as well as some short animated textures to give them
some life.

The problem is the inconsistency of the art style. If all the characters were done in that way, including the main character, that style would work great because the game's art direction would have consistency. This screen however is weird looking because it's inconsistent, with a fully 3D character and a 2D character.

Mind you, if they were meant to be distinct the inconsistency would work. But I'm assuming they're both supposed to be regular people (as opposed to, say, a regular person and a magic spirit.)

Oh, and whatever you decide to do, the fact that the woman is semi-transparent is just odd. It makes her look like a ghost.

Yeah I used a sprite for the test that's why it's transparent. It will work in the ghost city level though.

Thanks for the input. I'm going to have to see if I can
do some 2D art that is of the same style. I think the
shading of the 2D art to match the lighting of the level
will help some.

It's a shortcut but my art department is my left hand and
my coding department is the right so I have to do something
or quit my regular job to get it done.

By the way I really like the art style your game. Rare Earth is it? I grabbed your screenshot from the Gallery and refer to it every now and again for reference/inspiration on a couple projects I am working on.

Use Quads and billboards for a charmingly lovely look.

jhocking my inspiration came from The adventures of Lomax
if you want to take a look at their artwork.

I wonder if I can get away with making the flat art and
creating a 3d model of the flat art sort of like a relief

hmm back to the experiments

The NPC to me looks like a GHOST.

I also think its a good idea to use sprites until you can get your models done.

id just use a place holder model until the real models get done.