Anatomy & Visual Appearance of alien Creatures & Characters

Design intent:

With creating characters for an alien world that is fantasy based whilst resembling alien life I want my characters and creatures to signify planetary evolution (the characters and creatures have similarities e.g. facial features or anatomy features a specific requirement of evolution as it is too easy to explain this through showing characters DNA in the game I will be showing this through physical biology).

Reason:

this is influenced by looking at the Jurassic period and how certain animals evolutionary chain despite difference in size there are still visual similarities. For example the evolution of feathered birds although the anatomy has changed over the years there are a few visual similarities e.g. leg shape.

The reason for this is to add a unique feel to the characters but adding a form of realism in the way they are visually presented, avoiding the need for multiple limbs e.g. 4 arms if their environment does not require such anatomy. Following this guide line I will be able to design and create characters and creatures that work with the environment avoiding unusually large creatures that do not fit in the environment especially if they are herbivores.
I will be using the Jurassic period as a main influence for creatures that will be located on the alien this allows me to insure the player will be aware of dangerous creatures by judging their size and appearance.