Do you prefer fashion or practicality in video games wardrobe?

[IceBrand]

Like let's say you get this really cool looking outfit, but its stats are much lower than this other piece of armor that it nowhere near as cool. How would you decide? You can also apply this to character designs as well.

[Thor Odinson]

I run 70% practical base with 300% extra bling

I don't like most designs that are over the top impractical or contains something that's a big turn off as a design, but I'm not aiming for 100% practicality either (although also good and definitely capable of looking-good. Practical designs do not look bad by nature; they look bad because either the character wasn't supposed to look stylish or the designer is incompetent)

I go with a base design that I make sure it at least effectively conveys the purpose of the design and then pile a lot of detailing on it

Edited December 30, 2015 by Thor Odinson

[solrocknroll]

Fashion.

In Xenoblade, the practical armor looks bad, but I love a lot of the fashion stuff like the Medium equips.

[Roxas]

FASHION ALL THE WAY EVERY TIME, ESPECIALLY IN GAMES THAT LET ME FLAUNT MY SUPERIOR AESTHETIC SENSE IN FRONT OF OTHERS.

this is also why, as a dude, rolling a female character in any mmorpg is never unacceptable.

[Specta]

fashion is the only thing that matters

[Original Alear]

I mostly don't pay attention to fashion. But in Xenoblade X I do set fashion equipment for some of my characters, if I like the gear (Elma still has her torso and sleeve armor from the beginning of the game as her fashion equip).

[Florete]

Fashion if stat loss isn't a big deal, practicality if I really do need the boost.

An outfit being fashionable and high in stats is perfect.

[Hatsuoki]

Fashion 100%. If I die, I die fabulous.

[Original Alear]

Fashion if stat loss isn't a big deal, practicality if I really do need the boost.

An outfit being fashionable and high in stats is perfect.

What about an outfit being fashionable and max in stats.

[Knight Falchion]

Fashion, but both if I can. Which is why Xenoblade Chronicles X's separation of fashion outfits and primary gear is so amazing.

[MarioKirby]

I'd rather have a balance of both, but if not, then practicality.

That being said, I'll definitely put effort into my character's appearance if, like in Xeroblade X or Persona 4, appearance options are separate from the armor.

[DarkDestr0yer61]

Fashion. Which is why Dunban is never allowed to wear armor that covers his body.

But practical and fashionable is definitely preferred.

[Freohr Datia]

FASHION

[Magical Glace]

Fashion if stat loss isn't a big deal, practicality if I really do need the boost.

An outfit being fashionable and high in stats is perfect.

This more or less

I love drawing and looking at fancy dresses and such, but I do like to keep my equipment viable for the point in the game I'm at.

[Esme]

Fashion > stats.

[eclipse]

Ask me if I dressed Neku up as a maid.

Because I did.

[Darros]

Practicality usually but usually the types of games I play don't even really show the armor being worn. That said if the more fashionable item isnt a HUGE stat loss I will wear it.

[Midori Mage]

Fashion. If I'm gonna kick ass, I wanna do it looking cool.

[claire]

fashion i dont need extra boosts to win

[Thor Odinson]

Also what if fabulous is best looking like

Ezio's Altair armor

Unbreakable, most resistances most hp, looks fucking fabulous, way better than the metal plates he keep on piling on his outfit

Brutus armor doesn't look nearly as good but you can always just put the Altair armor skin over it :P

I always rush Altair armor though get it as soon as possible it's so good

Edited December 30, 2015 by Thor Odinson

[Orpheon]

Fashion > Practicality

Fashion Souls, FashionFrame, Fashion Fantasy.

[Freohr Datia]

Fashion Wars

(except it's especially fashion wars since you can get the highest stat armours and just change their skins)

[Tryhard]

i'm a statistic bastard i can't help it sorry

[Avarice Shadow]

When I play Monster Hunter, I go for practicality but I do see the appeal in fashion.

[secondworld]

Regarding what was specifically stated in op, the practical armor. Gotta have those stats.

From a general design point, whatever looks good. Now that varies by many factors and can also be subjective. Generally speaking, armor looking too over-the-top would be a negative for me, being too bland is also a negative, basically having flair is good without going too far in either direction. Again, this is very generally speaking, not even going into things like art style which also influences character design. And hell, I've only talked about armor.

I dunno, I think there's a pattern or formula for this, but it's vague with so many variables it's probably just easier to say it's a case by case basis for me.