Edge looping isn't as important to realtime as you may think. Well, it really depends if you can commit enough polys per model to make edge looping worth it.

Here is a wire (not done by me), which demonstrates really low poly modeling
Also as a note to the original poster. Look at the knees and elbow joints.

Here is a wire (not done by me), which demonstrates really low poly modeling
Also as a note to the original poster. Look at the knees and elbow joints.