Apr 302013
Yorick, the Gravedigger
Yorick, the Gravedigger constantly sails the waters around the Shadow Isles. His job demands as much: helping visitors in a land they may never leave. Such an activity allows a wide view of the different kinds of people that inhabit the Realm of the Living; or once did. Raise yourself and take a look at his skins’ review to discover what’s behind the man with the spade.
Undertaker Yorick
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| Category: | Regular |
| Price: | 520 RP |
| Concept: | Yorick as a peculiarly styled mortician. |
| Model: | New model for Yorick and his spade. |
| Particles: | No new particles. |
| Animations: | No new animations. |
| Sounds: | No new sounds. |
| Splash Art: | The rain covers the city with a glossy veil. In the distance, past an old bridge, a set of near human figures follow a trail of ponds. Their target is a man hunched by too many years that disrupts the quiet shadows with a light bulb and the earth with a spade. Without doubt this piece oozes with style and mood. The background still feels a bit empty and rough. Besides, Yorick seems rather monotonous in his shading: even though darkness fights colours back there’s some light present. Still, the piece comes on its own despite an empty left side, insipid rain and a generally crude depiction. In some aspects, the style gives it a suitable sense of melancholy. On the whole, it’s not a perfect splash art but it surely is one that stands out with it’s fantastic tone. |
| Rating: | |
| Conclusion: | Undertaker Yorick offers a rather elegant and clean style that is as classy as it is extravagant. On the one hand, the suit is nice and despite some worn edges it seems quite stylish and fitting. Additionally, the spade follows the mood and displays etchings over its bronze surface. However, the helmet seems preposterous. It doesn’t look bad nor does it follow the presented style. Maybe if Yorick wore metallic gauntlets or some heavy armour it would make sense. Like this, it seems a whim; like the shirt’s extended neckpiece. The lamp also looks capricious but its presence is reasonable. Unfortunately, the design is rather plain and besides the colour and some spikes it’s identical to Pentakill’s. Overall, it’s an elegant and classy skin but with an evident eccentric touch. |
Pentakill Yorick
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| Category: | Regular |
| Price: | 975 RP |
| Concept: | Yorick as a seasoned hard rock guitarist. |
| Model: | New model for Yorick and his spade. |
| Particles: | No new particles. |
| Animations: | New dance animation. |
| Sounds: | No new sounds. |
| Splash Art: | As with other groups of skins, Pentakill has a splash art shared among its members. Realizing the consequences of such decision we find that the piece doesn’t really make up for it with astounding quality. The background is suggestive, at best, of twisted constructs between peaks. Add to that a rock platform with some engraved runes in some places and we have the whole of the setting. At the centre we find the famous metal band with all its members. As a poster their depiction is acceptable but nothing out of the ordinary. There’s the usual tough attitude and display of might but it all feels superficial. What might be serious is the arbitrary fog that diffuses parts of the bodies of the champions. Concerning each champion we find that: Yorick seems strangely eager for an undead, Mordekaiser struggles to be noticed behind the other members and the flames, Karthus looks rather vivid and imposing, Sona aloof and distant while Olaf struggles like Mordekaiser at the back. For the most part, the portrayals don’t capture much of what makes each member unique in the band. Besides, in some cases, Sona in particular, they appear to be at odds with their natural personality. Ultimately, it serves as a band poster for Pentakill but as a splash art it doesn’t do much. |
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| Conclusion: | Pentakill Yorick adapts the Gravedigger into a guitarist rather well. The clothes are nothing groundbreaking but work well. There’re necessary accessories like a skull-decorated top hat, adorning spikes and arm-long tattoo. The spade doesn’t look bad turned into a guitar and even though the colours are muddy it has a nice design. In contrast, the head stands out but not in the best of ways: the dirty hair frames unkempt, simian features that resemble Yorick but only in passing. It makes for a drastic contrast that doesn’t mesh well with the other elements. The lamp also looks weird as it could’ve been adapted into some sort of microphone. As it is, it’s an obvious reuse of assets shared with Undertaker. In the end, Pentakill Yorick is effective in general but leaves a bad impression under a closer inspection. Fans of Slash, hard rock or Pentakill may want to consider it but be advised to give it a good look to avoid any disappointments. |
Conclusion
As the ferryman of the Shadow Isles, Yorick surely comes across all sorts of types. Strangely, this hasn’t compelled or allowed him to diversify his wardrobe. From the options available Undertaker Yorick is the recommended skin. It adequately complements his classic style with a more elegant but a tad bizarre look.
Pentakill Yorick does enough to be a recognizable guitarist but when subjected to a good look some things strike as odd. The face definitely seems unbecoming while the rest is just passable. Even the guitar seems well designed but poorly painted; decadent doesn’t imply dull. It’s a skin with issues but may appeal to some, just know well what you are getting.
Hi zero,
Just a thought, do you think Pentakill Yorick is a reference to Slash (the guitarist from Guns N Roses)
So it seems, though the skin could’ve tried a bit harder to incorporate the rock angle.
It’s also worth mentioning that Yorick is the bass guitarist of Pentakill. (Mordekaiser is the guitarist). There’s nothing in the review that mentions it in the review. And it’s kind of strange that they give Yorick’s bass only 3 strings as opposed to the normal 4 on a bass (or 6 or 9 strings).
I only got the skin because I’m a bass player myself! 😛
It’s also worth considering that Pentakill Yorick is a clear reference to Slash; who is a guitar player. That’s why we mention that he looks like a guitarist. To be fair, it gives the impression that the Pentakill skins haven’t been that thoroughly designed.
It is also interesting that mordekaisers guitar only appears to have 5 strings, which annoys me as im an avid guitar player xD ugh the joys of OCD
It would be called artistic freedom, though that seems to be an excuse in many occasions.
Are there changes in looks of a ghouls?
His two release skins, Undertaker and Pentakill, don’t change the appearance of the ghouls. They only modify Yorick’s model and his spade.
Maybe future skins will include changes for the ghouls, hopefully at a reasonable price, but, for now, it’s what we’ve got.
In terms of splash art, undertaker Yorick is possibly one of my favorites.. The overall feel is just unbelievably eerie and melancholy. I agree that the left side is a bit empty, though if you look closely I think you can see Yorick’s ghouls at the very end of the tunnel.
We completely agree that it’s one of the most evocative splash arts available. If only the background supplemented Yorick’s portrayal a bit better it would be almost perfect. We can understand the crude or rough style of the piece so as to inspire an eerie feeling. However, the setting could be more significant.
After all we might as well find Trundle under the bridge as the only connection to Yorick it’s that its dark. The background could be a bridge but there has to be something that links the setting to Yorick. If he appears dressed as an unusual undertaker, dragging his spade, there has to be some context.
The overall feel of the piece is clear and attractive. Regardless, there’s room for improvement.