Game Concept

I have no clue what kind of game or concept I'm going for. And without an idea I have no idea what kind of environment or character design to use. There are three big archetypes: "real world," fantasy, or sci-fi. The "real world" archetype is any setting based on or in the real world, such as:

 

 

Such as from Sly Cooper which is set in Paris, and though the world is populated by anthropomorphic animals, the setting is still based upon the real world. Then there is

from WildStar which is a fantasy realm because it isn't from the real world and is a separate world entirely. And then there is

from Ratchet and Clank, which is sci-fi because of the space travel and alien races.

Each has there pros and cons. The "real world" becomes relatable to the audience, but limits to an extent alterations to it before it falls into one of the other categories. Fantasy and Sci-fi allow for a completely new place and rules, but there is the need to make it realistic enough that the audience don't find it jarring.

And these can effect the character design. Such as a realistic design versus a stylized design. For example, WildStar is fantasy, which effects the clothing, but the design is realistic or at least based on realistic proportions.

Then there is Sly Cooper and though it is based in the "real world" the use anthropomorphic animals lends itself to a more stylized approach to differentiate species from on another.

Then there is Ratchet and Clank and as a sci-fi game lends itself to stylization for alien races.

So since I'm unsure of what type of game or concept to go with I have no idea the type of setting or character design to go with.