Rule of the thumb: Polygons for Models/Character

[YouGroove]

If you don't like to use these types of tools you can grab something like Topogun, that you can use to make a low poly game ready version of the higher detailed mesh and then use the freely available xnormals

 

I agree, 3D Coat can import high res models and it has best retopology tools , Auto Unwrapping for UV, and you can calculate normal maps with it also, all in one.

Topogun and Xnormal can be a very good cheap alternative than buying 3D coat, but 3D coat with free updates is really something that worth it's money if you are able to sculpt 3D model, a all in one tool.

[Patrick]

I agree, 3D Coat can import high res models and it has best retopology tools , Auto Unwrapping for UV, and you can calculate normal maps with it also, all in one.

Topogun and Xnormal can be a very good cheap alternative than buying 3D coat, but 3D coat with free updates is really something that worth it's money if you are able to sculpt 3D model, a all in one tool.

Its not just a sculpting tool so not being able to sculpt you will still find a great use with the software, many people I know use it simply for the UV and retopo tools as well as the painting directly on to the mesh, but Photoshop allows this. The one downside to this solution is that you cannot use your content commercially with the Edu version which is the cheapest. So for someone not looking to purchase it for full price and such Blender is the best free alternative and then Topogun would be my choice simply because I dislike the navigation and such with Blender (a veteran Maya user here )