It's really nice to see some visual progress again
well the hod is still xtremely awsome but what if the char's face wold be in the punche's position , and maybe even make it damageable :]
The face thing you suggested was in DMZ:
Screenshot screenshot screenshot
I didn't like it back then, and I don't think it should be in ESF either. IMO it's pointless to try it since you can already see your character in 3D.
About the W.I.P:
I love the way you rounded the edges, and the charge beam is very nice indeed. The melee symbol looks awesome as well, but I hope the new icons will be animated like the current ones. It looks nicer and makes it easier for beginners to recognize attacks quickly.
[suggestion]
Maybe you could animate a stick figure using the attack from a distance, and then zoom in on the energy, so when it stops it shows the attack.
Another option is to make the icons loop like the generic attack's charge sound. Show a character charging the attack, and then loop the part where the energy travels to the target.
I know I suggested eye candy right after saying it's unnecessary, but I still like my idea :fight:
[/suggestion]
There's only one thing which seems to be missing, unless you've decided to remove it from the game. Sensu beans. If they are still in the game but you don't know where to place them in the HUD, you could put them where the attack icon is. Then whenever you want to see how many you have, you just press 9.
Other than that, it's great. Keep it up :yes:
P.S:
Why does no one ask what it could mean anymore?