Phronemophobia's art Reviews on Newgrounds

[What day was it again?]

I mostly enjoyed the games up to Pokemon Moon but not enough to continue following the franchise on the Switch, which includes Legends: Arceus. Despite the lack of overall quality, the pokemon designs continue to be charming. Your art here more than highlights that. I don't know these variations, but I am a huge fan of the original Typlosion and Basculin, so I appreciate love towards the both of them because there's comparatively not much for either. I know nothing about the Perrserker, however, that mischievous smile is enough reason to believe he's gotta be one of the best additions to that game.

ICam2k responds:

I think Legends: Arceus was pretty good, I think the best part is usually exploring the maps and get hordes of Pokemon to attack on occassion. There s the little fine sandbox feel and all that. With that said though, I think the first three gens were peak for me. (Gen 3, specifically Emerald, is still the top one for its exotic yet cozy feel, but I eventually started to appreciate the first two a lot more)
They are definitely pretty cool. Very nice to know Basculin does have its fans. May not be favourite, but I think the hate surrounding it for being "useless" (just like most of Unova's Pokemon if anything) is exaggerated because it does have benefits of its own. Besides, I do like the blue striped one. Pretty cool fish all around.
Perrserker was introduced in Pokemon Sword and Shield, arguably the weakest games, so yeah, can't blame you for not knowing that. But the cat's pretty cool. Evolves from Galarian Meowth, is a steel type and its animations usually have it shifting its claws like long daggers. Probably because it's Viking inspired, so that's cool.

[Fool's reward]

There's so much life in Wario. The balled up one was cute. This, however, is cartoonishly outlandish and I love it for that reason.

Pirate girls... I've been a fan of Aika from SoA, Tetra from Hyrule Warriors, Piper from SW Heist, and, of course, Risky Boots because she's the best part of any Shantae game. I want to wish for more of them, but adding too many might take away the charm and appeal of their inclusion.

Oh, those two will never be a couple. I could see Waluigi wanting to find himself a girl but Wario only has eyes for riches (and garlic).

Again, love this. I adore any sort of overly expressive cartoon reaction. Never believe art like this won't age well.

ICam2k responds:

Thank you! Glad to know that you enjoyed it. I was admittedly a little concerned about this one looking rather incosistent, but, yeah, it does look pretty neat even now. :)
Pretty good pirates I gotta say. Althouh I'm interested in trying out some of the Shantae games because I keep hearing some pretty good things about the franchise.
Waluigi has been attempting to swoon Daisy plenty of times, but up to no avail so you're not wrong there. I think there were a few instances were Wario was fine with a girl (Wario Land VB) but yeah, I'm pretty sure he prioritizes money more... and himself.

[Perched]

This is so good... and oddly cute. A lot of Vector fanart and now a bunch of Wario. You know, I'm starting to think you have a thing for power-type characters.

ICam2k responds:

Thanks! Yeah, it does seem to be pretty cute. Might be the bird, but Wario's pouty pose does elevate that. I do think these types of characters are cool, even though some of them aren't well-mannered. Although I like to believe my tastes lean more for the unconventional as opposed to the norm. Including the ones that are less liked.
The Vector part usually comes when I' m not seeing enough fanart of him (at least when it comes to his classic design at least, even though I did some for his current iteration later on).

[Did Somebdoy Order Rings?]

So, I answered the door and these two are asking about an order of rings. A moment later, the song Fist Bump starts playing and now they are trying to barge into my home. I'm scared.

ICam2k responds:

Do you have one of those E.G.M Slicers? That should make them go away.

[Who flipped the M?]

Oh, so it wasn't just a one-off with the previous work. Your version of Wario is all kinds of impressive exaggeration! I already liked him more than his weaker, redder counterpart but now he's almost as glorious as Waluigi... almost.

ICam2k responds:

I think both the "Waruis" are neat in their own way.

[The prophecy]

I love how Wario and Waluigi were designed with exaggerated aspects of the Mario brothers and the only opposing factor was that they were not good guys. Both are much more refined now with their personalities and abilities though I guess Wario did become a little more opposite of Mario (less about jumping power and more about regular power) in his own platformers. Maybe Fake Luigi also became more refined and turned into who we now know and fear to be Weegee.

ICam2k responds:

That less about "jumping power and more regular power" actually serves as an another neat contrast between Wario and Mario, at least to me. Mario is a skilled athlete (according to some games like Donkey Kong for Gameboy by the introduction cutscene, but I'm not sure if that still holds up to this day) and while he can punch or even swing a giant Turtle Dragon King by his tail, I feel like his skills are more about running and jumping. How else did he get the name "Jumpman"? Wario meanwhile focuses more on brute stength, plus the way he deals enemies seem to be more erratic compared to how Mario does. Even the transformations show this, Mario gains some power-ups and masters the abilities given to him without much sweat, while Wario has to get these by just... harming himself. (getting crushed by heavy objects cause to transform into Flat Wario for instance)
Oh so that's where he's been up to! Good for him.

[Two sides of a croc]

Vector looks like he's trying to create a profile pic for a dating app.

ICam2k responds:

Some crocodiles got to get along.

[Freaks]

If you've carved out your own blocks to do this, you oughta include a picture of them, as well. As time-consuming as block printing can be, making your own stamps is usually the more impressive part of it. I had to make just one for a mandatory art class back in middle school and it was not easy.

[Leap up, Brothers!]

They're not only adorable but both do a fantastic job of setting up their personalities without needing to say anything. Your cartoon version of Luigi looks to be a kind, humble fellow ready to lend a helping hand while your cartoon version of Mario has a more confident and daring appearance. Overall, it's a really simple piece of art, sure, and you could have given them something to do outside of existing in a white void but I am a sucker for expression. If I can form an idea of what this version of the Mario Bros is like, then I don't really need that extra stuff included in the piece, do I?

If you were to design Peach outside of DiC entertainment, would she still go by the name "Princess Toadstool"? Would she still have tan skin? Would she still love Milli Vanilli?

ICam2k responds:

Thank you! It wasn't much of pain to figure their personalities really. That's pretty much how they act nowadays, so gotta go with that.
You forgot to mention her brown hair and her spunky attitude. I do have a piece of Princess Peach "Toadstool" along with other buds ready, just a little patience is required before I get there. But who knows, she probably still loves Milli Vanilli with other additions coming in the later years like Army of Lovers.

[Booming sounds]

There's not much to say about this. It's simple, but his expression is so good. Seems like the sort of image I would post as a reaction to someone's comment on Discord.

This may be the first drawing for an indie, but I'd love to see more from your favorites (which I may end up wishlisting, as well, out of curiosity).

I have seen the trailer for this and I am interested but I also drained the majority of my bank account on repairing my new home, so AntonBlast (along with other indies) is going to be on that wishlist for a good, long while.

ICam2k responds:

Could also fit in as a Twitter meme given how similar the format is. I plan to take things easy right now after churning tons of complete artworks in the last months. I do get a bit of burnout indeed.
I'll see if I can do more these, even though I'm more into cartoony ones that are running out in the wild nowadays with some slight of chaotic energy. Exactly my kind of thing.
No worries, there's no rushing needed. And besides, it is often better to get the the game once everything calms down and just enjoy it afterwards.