The problem with that drawing are the facts that
1) You obviously didn't make the original, hence why what you draw on top doesn't fit in. Different styles.
2) Very poor definition. There are no edge highlights between dark and mid-tones and there's absence of depth. It looks like you only used 1 colour ( black), which is not a good idea.
Not trying to be rude, just some criticism. I have no interest in games like this so can't comment on anything else.
Original what? Background, character?
And there a slight tones, but the heavy use of black is not used for every character or background, it is used only occasionally stand that is to present a darker character.
However, if you think it lacks depth, then that's criticism I can work with, because that means I should continue to fix it up.
The only thing I drew in this case was the faces for the trees which I kind of molded onto the trees themselves. I never claimed to have drawn anything else. Anything else I used was either made by one of us working on the game and I am adding to it, or it is open resource.
However I must disagree myself with what you said about not fitting in because of styles. I do believe their different styles, but blend in nicely, at least style wise they match closely in my opinion (mind you the creepy trees will stand out in style against the fantasy-like forest)...
So after trying to different styles, I do think the tree's faces blend in though they are different styles (the background and the trees)
Most of the character's sprites for battle sequences will look different and be different styles, because they're from different parts of MK (some are concept arts, some are from the Malibu comic designs) so I agree they will look different when side by side (ex, the Shokan next to that specific Tarkatan, as there are several Tarkatan designs in the game)
However, I have not attempted nor plan to make the designs look as if I myself made them all. I want them to look different, because it not only honors the design and intention of the original artist but kind of makes it different to the gamer's eyes. I want the game to kind of pay tribute to MK, and everywhere it has gone, and a lot of that has to do with the art.
If you have no interest in the game itself but have feedback for the art, please specifict where you said that there are no edge highlights. I would love to at the very least if not interest you with the mechanics, please you with the design (though I know it is not possible to please everyone)
HOWEVER...
I am guessing your whole comment was on the Living Forest and none of it on the Shokan xD
anyways, looking at it, I do agree there could be more midtones, but I was more of pitching the image idea or concept at you guys for a response. After fixing it up a little, tell me what you think...
there's some midtones
not sure if you think it needs more or less. Tried to not add too much, using the MK2 ones as reference.
Note I haven't touched the tree in the back at all. The two trees that were modified, that isn't the final either. I plan to smooth out the midtones a little more so it all blends much nicer.
I do plan to add some edge highlights later on today.
However no one has posed the same criticism as you, meaning you may be a little overly picky demanding that much depth, considering MK2 Living Trees lack depth a lot... they used very little shadowing, it seemed mostly like one shade, and they still managed to look awesome.
So honestly if you aren't into this type of style of game and cannot realize its more animated and not going to look life-like (I want to stay away from it look realistic, I want an animated look) and if you are not going to be playing this game (judging by your last statement) then I prefer you add little criticism because what you want this game to be, is not exactly what it is intended to be. My concept seems good to others, while you have a complete different idea in mind it seems.
I will have an updated full touch-up later today.
Updated Living Trees with midtones :