Bar gradients - are they important?

[Poryg]

I am asking this question just out of interest. As I'm building an engine for parallax mapping I intend to release to public, I always consider what to "keep" and what to "discard" compared to regular RPG maker.
Nevertheless, I'm unsure about gradients. It's true that having your HP meter go from black to red or MP meter go from blue to white can make the meter somewhat more lively, however I've never really given it any importance. So I'm asking you guys, what do you think about gradients - do I include them in the engine or do I scrap them?

 

[MushroomCake28]

If your building a public engine, then you should keep it. You might not find them important, but some people might.

 

[Tome571]

In general, I find gradients helpful in parallax mapping - they are great for creating shadows over certain areas.

As far as HP/MP/TP bars, I would agree that they are a nice option to have, but not required. I get the sense from feedback and testers of my game that at least 80% of users would say that gradient bars are more appealing than a solid color.

 

[Milennin]

I can't say I really care all that much, as long as it's easy to read. Gradients probably work better with the default, or games with higher detailed graphics, while monochrome gauges work better in games that use limited colouring (maybe going for a NES/GBC aesthetic).
I'd also say that gradient would look nicer on big or thick bars so you don't get a huge space consisting of one colour, while smaller or thinner bars would be fine being monochrome.

 

[Finnuval]

I would advice to keep the gradient. Personally I find it more appealing to look at and Im guessing Im not alone in this.

 

[Poryg]

Understood. It's in, thank you guys for the feedback!

 

[Wavelength]

While not an absolute gamebreaker, I definitely like having gradients. In addition to the visual appeal, it can be helpful in estimating an enemy's %HP remaining. It can be hard to visually differentiate, for example, 30% of a solid-colored bar vs. 38%, but seeing that the bar ends at orange vs. yellow-orange is a much easier visual tell.

And since RPG Maker already provides the methods for drawing gauges in gradient, it should be a really easy add.

Best of luck making that plugin, man! Sounds cool.

 

[ShadowHawkDragon]

If its the same gradient stretched across the bar which just squeezes together as it depletes then yeah, I'd say its pointless. If anything it could damage the 'visual clarity of the bar itself' as the edges are harder to judge.

If its like what @Wavelength said, i.e. the gradient is unconnected to the depleting bar, then its a nice visual aid. So if I can still see a tip of green at the bar's edge I know I'm fine, but if I barely even see that orange...eep!

Of course this same effect can be emulated by having a solid bar gradually change in colour, i.e. green to yellow to orange to red to death (yes, death is now officially a colour).