Hey Guest! Ever feel like entering a Game Jam, but the time limit is always too much pressure? We get it... You lead a hectic life and dedicating 3 whole days to make a game just doesn't work for you! So, why not enter the GMC SLOW JAM? Take your time! Kick back and make your game over 4 months! Interested? Then just click here!
I've seen small sprites doing good attack animations. It is up to the artist's skill to convey movement with a small amount of pixels. I'd say first select a consistent size to your characters and enemies and build around that. Sprite animation tools should let you easily enargen the canvas if you run into problems with space.
Try using 32x32 for the character's idle sprite and swapping to something like 64x32 for the attack and just making sure the sprite origin remains in the same place
You could use image_angle to rotate sprites, this lets you make really smooth attack animations without having to worry about the optimal sprite size... just make the weapon and character different sprites and move the weapon sprite around to simulate sword swings, stabs etc.
You could use image_angle to rotate sprites, this lets you make really smooth attack animations without having to worry about the optimal sprite size... just make the weapon and character different sprites and move the weapon sprite around to simulate sword swings, stabs etc.