Movement Animation Help

[darkevilhum]

Need some help, I'd like to start work on a few movement animation sets for different styles but I've been stuck on the basic walkforward animation for the longest time.

 

I've attached my 2012 max project file as well as a compiled .hkx.

 

My problem is that my animation in game always looks incredibly robotic. Mostly along the Z (up and down) axis.

 

I feel like it's missing some Z axis movement which i've repeatedly increased via the hip controller, It still looks weird, I can only guess that I'm doing it the wrong way?

What's the best way to animate Z axis movement for movement animations? The root node? The hips? The camera?? How about lining up the animation with the movement rate in skyrim? 

Haven't found a skyrim/max related animating tutorial that specifically covers movement/ motion animations.

 

Any advice is appreciated.

mt_walkforward.zip