I see what you mean about the patterns, I should fix that once the challenge is done.
As for the sprite, I originally made that little boy for something else, not for the challenge, so I was just trying to follow to rules. I agree with you, though. : )
Thank you! I'm pretty embarrassed that I even submitted the earlier version of this to the gallery... what was I thinking?
Whoa, you updated it! It looks much better now IMO. The huge sky was kinda distracting.
Also the player sprite is awesomely disturbing :)
(is that what they mean by having a 'split personality'?) 
I like it and would totally play it! congrats. It got me imagining what it would be like to play
I think adding a background would do a lot. I think you can make this look really good while still keeping it quite simple. Maybe edit the thing at the top of the stairs? If you turn that into something interesting as a sort of goal for the player, a second sprite or other ''gamy'' things aren't really needed.
Hmm, I was going for a simplistic style, it's too bad that it comes off as boring. Would you suggest that I add more texture somewhere, get rid of some of the negative space, or add a couple more elements to the piece? Anyway, I appreciate your comment and I'm glad that you like the sprite, because sprites are still very frustrating for me.
I really like the sprite and the lava, but the rest looks a bit bland.
Hmm, I wasn't sure about your suggestion at first regarding having the lava span the width of the image, but you're definitely right.
Personally, I don't feel that a second sprite is necessary, but I'll give it a shot.
...I should just start running things by you for critique before posting them in the gallery. : P
It loves you, too.