Mapping Modern Cities VXA

For my GIAW in a week entry I tried to make a modern/sci-fi game. 

One problem: I'm not happy with the city.  It just looks too big, too much space, not enough life. 

Now that the entries are submitted, I'm trying to improve the look.  Here's my original effort:



I was going for large apartment buildings, a shop area, and a park.

Should I split this into multiple maps?  One for each area?  Should I use a horizontal feel and use a background?

Made this messing around:



Any better? Does any know of a game I could check out for VX/VX Ace that's modern so I can get some ideas?

Thanks for the tips!

Tilesets I used:

Spoiler for:

The last one, the one made with messing around, is alot better.
It looks nicer, more sleek, and it has more life if people were to walk on the sidewalks 

Eden: I agree completely, that "messing around" map looks tons better than the original effort, mostly (in my opinion) because of the added sense of depth. So yes, I would recommend splitting the map into multiple areas to enhance that. I'd also just like to add that oh my God that Mack-style tree in your tileset is pixelated as all Hell. I'm sure you can find something comparable that's a little bit less jarringly blocky.

Eden: I agree completely, that "messing around" map looks tons better than the original effort, mostly (in my opinion) because of the added sense of depth. So yes, I would recommend splitting the map into multiple areas to enhance that. I'd also just like to add that oh my God that Mack-style tree in your tileset is pixelated as all Hell. I'm sure you can find something comparable that's a little bit less jarringly blocky.

lol

I'll do that

I agree with Eden. If you make the map too big or spacious. It will make the map boring and most of people prefer small map with great scenery than big map with a lot of space. Thats what I thought 

Not sure if you noticed, but your buildings are casting shadows on the sky.

Not sure if you noticed, but your buildings are casting shadows on the sky.

Cannot Unsee... ;_;

Five maps shopped together.  Improvement?

Edit - shadows and sidewalk fixed

You've still got shadows in the sky man. ;_;

But yes, that looks very nice.

i fixed it