The sequence of Okami has finally been announced and it's the game I've been eagerly awaiting – even though my hopes were dashed – since 2006. The new game in CapcomThe franchise was announced after several years of rumors about its production. The title was part of one of the many announcements for The Game Awards 2024 and was presented with a short cinematic trailer. The video showed a wolf running through a dark forest and, upon reaching an open field and seeing sunlight, the reflector of Divine Retribution, characteristic of Amaterasu, appears on its back..
After that, the video shows the wolf running through the field and, in its wake, several flowers begin to grow, just like in the original. Okami. Lastly, the video shows a brush drawing a circle around a growing flower, which causes it to bloom, referencing Amaterasu's Bloom technique, made possible by her Celestial Brush. The video ends by confirming that the ad is for OkamiThe sequel and that Hideki Kamiya, who directed the original title, is back as director of the new game. For me, this is the most exciting game announcement from The Game Awards 2024.
Okami Sequel Is an Exciting Surprise for Hopeless Fans
Kamiya's return to the role of game director is also comforting news
Even though the title does not yet have an official title or a more specific release window, the sequel Okami is one of the most anticipated games that I didn't see coming, much less under Kamiya's genius supervision. The first title, released in 2006, stood out for offering players an artistic experience in a video game widely recognized as a work of art. The game has a conclusion to its story, but the epic experience provided by the edition left fans wanting more. Hopes died when Clover Studio ceased operations in 2007.
A portion of the Clover team left to form PlatinumGames, which created titles such as Bayonet and the legendary NieR: Automata. With the Okami IP (intellectual property) under Capcom and the original creators now within a new, unrelated studio, fans like me have accepted the idea that a Okami sequel would not be a reality. Some of that hope was revived when Capcom released the HD version of the game for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, but there was no sign that the franchise itself would continue to grow.
Even with the testimony and the Amaterasu Easter egg in Rise of the Monster Hunter In 2021, the idea that the series would expand with an entirely new title seemed like a fever dream. With Okami being one of my favorite games of all time, the surprise announcement at TGA 2024 made me cry with joy at the prospect of controlling Amaterasu while exploring the new Nippon imagined by Kamiya. After almost two decades since the release of the original game and all the experience Kamiya has gained over the years, I hope the sequel surpasses the experience provided by the already fantastic Okami.
Since Clover Studio closed, Okami 2The game director has worked on a number of hits that have varied in style and have only helped him expand his repertoire as a developer and artist. Kamiya had already worked Resident Evil, Devil can cryand flashy Joebut then Okamihe put his hands on Bayonet franchise, as well as Astral Chain. Even with the disappointing cancellation of Limited scalethat he should drive, Kamiya has a solid list of successful achievements and Okami could be the perfect example of your vision as a developer.
Okami is a staple in creative game design
20 years later, the title still breaks the mold of games set in feudal Japan
Although the game is almost 20 years old, it has aged well and is still a fantastic title to replay, especially with its HD version made available for modern consoles. Okami He left a mark on the gaming industry with his artistic style that combined ink-wash painting techniques with cel-shading to create something truly unique at the time. It's almost as if we are entering a traditional Japanese painting from the Muromachi era.. Furthermore, Okami incorporated the idea of ​​remarkable ink painting into active gameplay, giving players a brush to use in the form of the Celestial Brush.
The Celestial Brush allowed players to make some simple drawings and, with it, activate special abilities, useful for both combat and exploration. In terms of gameplay design in a highly funded title, Okami showed how creative developers can be. Puzzles, secrets, and boss fights were all tailored around Amaterasu, unlocking new Celestial Brush techniques, which represented a near-perfect learning curve.. Although somewhat simplistic, combat with Amaterasu's three weapon types also added extra layers to the way the game was approached, which provided great customization to the gameplay and gave it a huge replayability factor.
OkamiThe hotel's excellence also extends to its other elements, such as its setting. The game with a strong Japanese influence broke some patterns that were and still are recurring in games. Instead of taking players back to feudal Japan in the guise of a samurai or shinobi, Okami dives straight into a creative interpretation of Japanese mythology, with Shinto at the forefront. Being fascinated by different mythologies from an early age and not having had contact with those of Japan, beyond simplistic references to onis and tengus, for example, Okami it was a catalyst for learning.
For me, exploring this colorful and creative interpretation of Japan (called Nippon) outside the perspective of a rugged, sword-wielding warrior has broadened my idea of ​​what the region has to offer in terms of history. Furthermore, as an Asian-American, Okami gave me a whole new perspective on what my cultural heritage had to offer and pushed me to learn more. Of course, this didn't happen alone. The original 2006 title has a delicately crafted soundtrack that helps guide us through the game, dictating the tone of each memorable moment in the story.
I couldn't be more excited to Okami 2 than I am now, and this is due to how much the original game gave me – and still gives me, considering that I'm coincidentally playing it again. For those who haven't yet been bathed in the sunlight of Amaterasu, I highly recommend playing the original game, which remains a masterpiece almost 20 years later. For those who have it, I'm eagerly waiting to play Okamisequence, just like you.