Fem Au Ra Face 2 just not the same

[Jaltaer]

I made 2 posts in the big graphics feedback thread but I figure I should copy-paste some of what I wrote there over here.

Using the following features, for reference:
Eyebrows - 2
Eyes - 3
Nose - 5
Mouth - 3
Jaw - 2


I took comparison screenshots with various lighting from both the Endwalker and final Dawntrail benchmarks, and have tried to match the angle as best as possible.

The biggest point of contention for me is without a doubt the mouth.

Link to image slider comparison



Overall, the mouth seems to have been made much narrower. The definition between top and bottom lip has been softened, removing much of the cute cupid's bow appearance. The dimples have been completely obliterated, and the mouth corners overall seem to have been greatly softened. The transition from lip color to skin is far less gradual and now very sharp, which diminishes the mouth corners even further.
All of this contributes to the narrower appearance, and gives her resting expression a sharper, meaner look. I am sure I'm not the only face 2 player who chose their face because it had a softer appearance, so this change is very jarring.

And... the smiles. I used to love seeing her smile, it always had a very gentle but mischievous air to it. Now... I don't even really know how to describe it, but I genuinely flinch and try not to look whenever cutscenes have her smile. It has a very forced and uncanny look to it, likely a result of the narrower and sharper appearance of the mouth overall.

Dawntrail's creepy tiny-mouth smile vs Endwalker's softer one...

There were a few other minor details I commented on as well, but the mouth being such a big change for the worse is the one part I wanted to highlight, and I hope the devs take note of how many people are upset with the changes to this specific feature.

[MsQi]

I also have a lesser used alt with this face. Pulling her out to do the holiday I'm really not happy with her. Like Cirina, she's just not herself anymore.

[Naoki34]

It's okay, in fact...

[Rueby]

It's okay, in fact...

You realize that your AuRa is face 1 right? And this is like....Face 2 thread?

[Naoki34]

You realize that your AuRa is face 1 right? And this is like....Face 2 thread?

I have no idea what you're talking about, but... on the left, it's from an old screen and the 2nd one is from today.
And if by that you mean I'm off topic, I think that's cool, because there will always be someone to point that out to you, I don't really care....

Has anyone ever told you that the ends of your hair are bleached? OMG!!!
I'll tell you again to complain to my FC's Master as people like to do. Oh Sh* it's me...

[Naoki34]

I don't look Annoyed (by life), nor do I look like I'm laughing at you like a Zenos expression with Sneer.
Expressions used to be more trollish, what a pity xD...
___

[Rueby]

I have no idea what you're talking about, but... on the left, it's from an old screen and the 2nd one is from today.
And if by that you mean I'm off topic, I think that's cool, because there will always be someone to point that out to you, I don't really care....

Has anyone ever told you that the ends of your hair are bleached? OMG!!!
I'll tell you again to complain to my FC's Master as people like to do. Oh Sh* it's me...

You come to a face 2 thread, where people are complaining about it, post your face 1 aura and say it looks fine? I mean it'd be best to make a face 1 aura thread instead of derailing this one by being off topic.

[MsQi]

Though they are small, it looks like the icons have not been updated, at least face 2 looks like the old one to me.


For those who don't get it, when you create a new character you are given a series of faces to choose from. When referring to one, players number them left to right. Au Ra are particularly easy to distinguish since each face has a specific horn shape, though many wish those will someday be separate choices.