The sequel toOkamihas at last been announce and it ’s the game I have been eagerly waiting for – even if my Bob Hope for it had been shattered – since 2006 . The fresh plot inCapcom ’s enfranchisement was announce after several years of hearsay about it being in yield . The title was part of one of the manyThe Game Awards 2024 announcements , and it was presented with a short cinematic trailer . The picture showcased a wolf break away through darken woods and , upon reaching an open field and seeing the sunlight , Amaterasu ’s signature Divine Retribution reflector appears upon its back .
After this , the video shows the skirt chaser run through the field and , in its wake , several prime startle to grow , much like they did in the originalOkami . Lastly , the video shows a paintbrush drawing a R-2 around a growing bloom , which prompts it to blossom , referencing Amaterasu ’s Bloom proficiency made possible with her Celestial Brush . The video terminate by confirming that the announcement is forOkami ’s sequel and thatHideki Kamiya , who directed the original rubric , is coming back as the raw game ’s director . To me , this is the most exciting secret plan announcement fromThe Game Awards 2024 .
Okami’s Sequel Comes As A Heartwarming Surprise For Fans Devoid Of Hope
Kamiya’s Return To The Role Of Game Director Is Also Soothing News
Even if the claim does not yet have an official title nor a more specific expiration windowpane , the sequel toOkamiis one of the most anticipated games I had not been expect , much less under the genius supervising of Kamiya . The first championship , released back in 2006 , stood out by offering histrion an art - touch on experience in a videogame that is wide recognized as a piece of art itself . The secret plan has a conclusion to its tale , but the epic experience provided by the installment left fans want more . Hope died off when Clover Studio ended its mathematical process in 2007 .
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A dowery of Clover ’s team then left off to shape PlatinumGames , which make titles likeBayonettaand the legendaryNieR : Automata . With theOkamiIP ( cerebral place ) under Capcom ’s belt and the original creators now within a Modern and unrelated studio , rooter like myself had number to term with the idea that anOkamisequel would not be a reality . A dowery of that hope was rekindled when Capcom released the HD version of the plot for PC , PlayStation 4 , and Xbox One , but there were no touch that the enfranchisement itself would continue to grow .
Custom Image by Bruno Yonezawa
In 2020 , former Clover Studio creative person and now head of Unseen , Ikumi Nakamura , say that there were “ pretty high”chances for anOkami 2and that she hoped Kamiya would return to preserve the continuation ’s artistic integrity .
Even with the statement andAmaterasu ’s Easter egg inMonster Hunter Risein 2021 , the idea that the serial publication would expand with a steel - newfangled title seemed like a febrility dream . WithOkamibeing one of my favorite games of all clock time , the surprise announcement at TGA 2024 had me gleefully weep at the candidate of controlling Amaterasu while exploring the fresh Nippon envisioned by Kamiya . After nearly two decades since the release of the original game and all the experience Kamiya gained over the years , I ’m hoping the subsequence will top the experience ply by the already fantasticOkami .
Since the occlusion of Clover Studio , Okami 2 ’s game music director has play on a serial of collision that wide-ranging in manner and only help oneself him boom his repertoire as a developer and artist . Kamiya had already worked onResident Evil , Devil May Cry , andViewtiful Joe , but afterOkami , he ’s put his hands on theBayonettafranchise , as well asAstral Chain . Even with thedisappointing cancelation ofScalebound , which he was specify to direct , Kamiya has a self-colored list of successful accomplishments , andOkamimay be the perfect lesson of his sight as a developer .
Okami Is A Staple In Creative Game Design
20 Years Later, The Title Still Breaks The Pattern For Games Set In Feudal Japan
Although the plot is closely 20 years quondam , it age exquisitely and is still a fantastic title of respect to play back , peculiarly with its HD variation made available for modern consoles . Okamileft a mark on the play industry with its artwork expressive style that blended ink - wash painting techniques with cel - shading to make something rightfully unique at the time . It ’s almost as if we were infix a traditional Muromachi - era Japanese painting . In addition to that , Okamiincorporated the idea of the singular ink - wash painting into active gameplay , make players a paintbrush to use in the phase of the Celestial Brush .
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The Celestial Brush allowed players to make some simple drawings and , with it , trigger off special ability , useful for both combat and geographic expedition . In full term of gameplay design in a extremely - finance title , Okamishowed just how originative developers can get . Puzzles , secret , and boss fights were all tailored around Amaterasu unlock fresh Celestial Brush techniques , which map a near consummate eruditeness bend . Although somewhat simplistic , the armed combat with Amaterasu ’s three weapon type also add excess layer to how one approached the game , which made for great gameplay personalization and gave it a huge replayability factor .
Okami ’s excellency extend to its other component , too , such as its mount . The heavy Nipponese - influence game broke some design that were and still are perennial in games . Instead of make player back to feudal Japan under the guise of a samurai or a shinobi , Okamidives powerful into a originative reading of Japanese mythology , with Shintoism at the forefront . Being fascinated by various mythologies from an early eld and not having had physical contact with those from Japan other than simplistic consultation to onis and tengus , for example , Okamiwas a catalyst for learning .
After my gameplay sessions , I ’d pass hours research detail about Shintoism , how the characters cite by name in the plot existed in the folklore , and how they were all connected .
To me , exploring this coloured and originative rendering of Japan ( called Nippon ) outside of the perspective of a broken sword - manage warrior broadened my approximation of what the area has to offer in terms of story . Furthermore , as an Asian American , Okamiprovided me with a brand - young view on what my ethnical inheritance had to offer and instigated me to learn more . Of course , this did not add up alone . The original 2006 claim has a fine craft soundtrack that aid guide us through the game , dictate the tone for each memorable story moment .
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I could n’t be more excited forOkami 2than I am right now , and that ’s because of how much the original biz provided me – and still provides me , look at I am coincidentally replaying it . For those who have n’t yet been bathed under Amaterasu ’s sunshine , I highly urge playing the original game , which continue to be a masterpiece nearly 20 years later . For those who have , I am thirstily await to playOkami ’s continuation , just like you .
