Cerydra’s visual design is a rare HSR disappointment

All the Amphoreus arc in Honkai: Star Rail has been a wonderful show of HoYoverse’s abilities as a developer and as a significant fan of historic historical past I’ve been delighted by the attention for element the workforce has proven on the subject of the world’s Graeco-Roman theme up to now.

Nevertheless, the 2 upcoming characters Cerydra and Hysilens are a little bit of a disappointment on this regard. Not like Aglaea or Mydei, who incorporate – very a lot stylized – design components which might be key to the Graeco-Roman theme, the 2 upcoming characters appear to be devoid of any of those elements.

Their designs are under no circumstances unhealthy. The truth is, their respective themes are nicely executed: I like Hysilens’ coral-inspired weapon (making it a trident for that straightforward Poseidon/Neptune connection wouldn’t have damage, however HoYoverse’s concept of getting the weapon double as a violin is superior) and head ornaments, which specific her alignment with the ocean, and I benefit from the over-the-top crown and scepter for the Chess Grasp Monarch. 

My subject is: These two characters could possibly be from anyplace within the universe.

Personally, the route chosen for Cerydra is the most important miss. Why go for this considerably generic design archetype of a monarch with crown and scepter when the Roman emperors could possibly be used as inspiration as a substitute? 

The character’s story is closely impressed by Iulius Caesar — heck, the names of her Expertise – Ave Imperator – and Traces – Veni, Vidi, Vici – are direct references to Caesar and the emperors. 

Think about Cerydra with an imperial gold and purple coloration scheme, donning a Roman-style cuirass (between the muscle cuirass, lorica segmentata, and lorica squamata there are many choices with the potential to look superb in HoYoverse’s fashion), a laurel crown or a crested helmet (since Aglaea already wears the laurel), and a navy cloak that bellows within the wind behind her. Image her holding a variation of a Roman eagle customary or maybe the vinewood cane of a centurio as a weapon.

Would that not obtain the identical objective of constructing her a picture of royalty and empire, conveying that she derives her authority from being a warlord and grasp strategist, whereas emphasizing her assist function as a Concord character? And would that not match into the world as we all know it way more easily?

I’ll concede that the picture of a medieval king flows higher with the chess theme, as a result of we are inclined to affiliate the sport with the time interval – as I mentioned, her present design brings that throughout very nicely – however I can’t assist however be unhappy in regards to the alternative that was missed right here with regard to preserving with Amphoreus’ visible theme, which appears to have been pushed into the background increasingly more as time went on in favor of generic fantasy outfits. I anticipated much less Furina and extra Centurii-chan.

After Mydei and Tribbie, the Graeco-Roman components have turn into much less and fewer pronounced within the character designs. Due to her sturdy thematic connection to standard historic characters, I feel Cerydra would have been the right particular person to convey these components again into the forefront and reinforce Amphoreus’ wavering visible id.