Product Description

In kami, the legendary monster Orochi has come back to life and turned the world into a veritable wasteland. Players must assume the role of a wolf, an embodiment of the sun god Amaterasu, which is capable of wielding unimaginable power. The state of the world lies in your hands as you must fight ominous beings and reclaim the earth from a curse that plagues it. It is crucial to help Amaterasu make the world a place where all living creatures can dwell once again. Defeating the creatures that Amaterasu encounters will not be a small feat. The real-time fighting system not only involves biting and ramming strikes, but also allows for various attacks using bronze mirror of Yata on its back as well as a host of other unique abilities. This system allows the usage of a myriad of specials attacks typically not associated with the physical prowess of a normal wolf. As the wolf becomes more powerful, more attacks become available. This blend of stylized graphics and unique gameplay will result in a rich and dynamic experience never seen before. Traditional Japanese art comes alive through beautiful scenic 3D levels Rooted in the third person perspective, you will need to interact with the people you encounter, building their faith by clandestinely answering their prayers and wishes

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Capcom
• Released on: 2008-04-15
• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Platform: Nintendo Wii
• Dimensions: .40 pounds

Features

• Create and destroy at will - Play as a god to re-establish order and beauty to a world laid barren by evil
• Intense action-packed battles - Rooted in Japanese folklore, fight against a diverse line-up of demons and monsters
• Interact with a unique and dynamic cast of characters

From the Manufacturer
Okami tells the story of a mythical sun god who sets out to restore a dismal world, decimating the forces of evil who stand in the way by commanding the elements and mythical abilities the deity possesses. Mixing Japanese folklore and a stunning traditional Japanese art style, players must utilize an inventive control scheme to overcome the challenges and evil that await. By enhancing the unique gameplay, visual style and story line of Okami with the control of the Wii Remote, it is sure to be the ultimate version of the game.

Originally designed for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and released in 2006, Okami now comes alive in an entirely new way on the Wii with its visually stunning art style and beautiful scenic 3D levels that have the appearance and texture of paper scrolls brushed with watercolor-like calligraphy art. Throughout the vibrant and distinctive surroundings, players must use the Wii remote to interact with a dynamic world and cast of characters. The blend of stylized graphics, movements and unique gameplay will result in a rich and dynamic experience never seen before.

Features:

• Innovative gameplay and control scheme optimized for the Wii - Defeating monsters requires both motion-controlled physical attacks, but also use of the Wii Remote as Amaterasu’s ‘Celestial Brush’ to paint the desired powers for decimating enemies and solving puzzles.
• Utilize various gameplay styles - In addition to the Celestial Brush, Amaterasu can wield three types of offensive weaponry, each with their own unique abilities and effects. Depending on how a weapon is equipped, it can be used as the main or sub weapon:
  • Reflectors - These well-balanced weapons are suited for close range combat.
  • Rosaries- Sacred magatama beads are great for quick long range attacks.
  • Glaives - These can be charged up to unleash powerful close range attacks.
• Intriguing main character - Assume the role of the sun god, Amaterasu, who descends upon the earth in the form of a wolf. The Japanese translation of the word wolf is “Okami”.
• Original visuals and revolutionary design- Vibrant and inspiring graphics, reminiscent of traditional Japanese art created on paper scrolls, produce a large variety of stages with a watercolor-esque appearance.

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Customer Reviews

A Classic Goes to the Wii
Pros:

+Reissue of one of the best Playstation 2 games.
+A good storyline
+A beautiful and stylish game
+Incredible soundtrack
+Wii Controls work well

Cons:

-There aren’t any Wii Exclusive Extras
-No voice acting, though this isn’t a big issue
-If you own this game on the Playstation 2, the new controls probably don’t justify buying the game

In 2006, Capcom released Okami. It’s a game that didn’t have a long lifespan, despite being on the PS2. It has commonly gone on to be labeled one of the most underrated (and probably underplayed) games of all time. However, it quickly garnered a cult following. For anyone who missed the Playstation 2 version, here’s a chance to play it on the Wii. Even if you played the Playstation 2 version to death, Okami on the Wii is worth giving a try.

You play as Amaterasu. She’s the Sun God of Japan and must now save the it from being overtaken by an evil curse that has spread across the land. Amaterasu is joined by her companion Issun. The overall story of Okami is brilliant. It’s told through text dialog with no voice acting to speak of. While there’s some garbled gibberish going on when the words appear on screen, there’s no voice acting whatsoever. This is forgivable, though. What may throw some people however, is that some of the games cutscenes are pretty long, and they’re pretty text heavy.

When it comes to graphics there are some games that put style over substance and some that put substance over style. Okami manages to do both. Not only is the game one of the most beautiful looking games ever released on a video game platform, it’s also incredibly stylish, colorful, and detailed. Despite being released in 2006, Okami still manages to be one of the best looking games out there. Even today, there are few games that look as good as Okami does. From time to time you may just want to stop your progress and admire the game’s beauty.

In terms of gameplay, Okami is very reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda games. You’ll go into dungeons and villages and battle bad guys and solve puzzles most of the time. Combat itself is fairly simple, and the Wii controls are actually pretty good here. You’ll flick the Wii Remote to attack and you can use the Nunchuck to dodge. For the most part, the controls are pretty similar to The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Combat is also pretty simple. Even against the bosses. It’s very unlikely you’ll die even once through Okami. The biggest draw to Okami, however, and the main reason it makes sense to release this game on the Wii, is the Celestial Brush.

The Celestial Brush is more than just a gimmick. You’ll need it to get through much of the game’s moments and you’ll find you have to use it very often. Using the brush you can do things like, make the sun come out when it’s dark, or cut through stone. You’ll gather more skills as you traverse through the game. You’ll even need to use it in combat to defeat enemies. What makes the Wii Version so much better is that actions with the celestial brush can be executed much faster than could be done on the Playstation 2 version. The moment you start using the Wii Remote as a paint brush, you probably won’t want to go back to using an analog stick for the task again.

If there was any problem concerning the gameplay, it would be that the controls take time to get used to and that they do not always respond. The controls work well, but stringing together attacks can be a problem sometimes. When you finally get the rhythm down, though, the controls are pretty solid.

There may not be any voice acting in Okami, but there is a fantastic soundtrack at work. There are still few games that sound as good as Okami does. Part of what helps the music, however, is that it really gets you absorbed into this world. More so than most video games. The adventure also lasts for quite some time, but it isn’t boring and just when you’re positive you’ve mastered everything there is to master, the game throws in another mechanic to keep it interesting.

The only major thing holding Okami back, really, is the lack of Wii exclusive extras. It’s worth trying the game if you played through the Playstation 2 version. On the other hand, it might not be worth buying just for the controls alone if you’ve still got your original copy.

The good news, however, is Okami has aged well. Even by today’s standards, the game is fresh.

Beautiful
Too often we read about “good graphics” in techincal jargon; 1080p, 60FPS, or 9,000,000 polys. If any game proves that visual beauty can’t be quantified in numbers, and should instead be described with color, line, and form, it’s Okami.

The reason is simple. Okami is the most beautiful game that’s ever been made, an opinion shared with major magazines when it was heralded as Game of the Year in 2006 (it was competing with Zelda: Twilight Princess and Gears of War for the title, and won). Now in 2008 and released for the Wii, still no game has surpassed the artwork in Okami. After you rescue the first sapling, you’ll understand why.

The gameplay is more original than magazine reviews would lead you to believe. They all agreed it’s great, but said it’s similar to Zelda, though I found it to be much more original, adult, and the gameplay to require more skill and depth. Pulling off a 4-strike combo, for example, takes the timing of a Guitar Hero veteran.

Okami was originally a PS2 title, but don’t let that turn you off. It belongs on Wii. This had to have been made for the Wii, there’s no other explanation. The brushstrokes, which are used for nearly every fight and obstacle, come so naturally to the wiimote, that it’s impossible to remember how it was ever done with a gamepad.

What’s sad is that Okami bombed on PS2. It had great reviews and a Game of the Year title, a strong fanbase, but for some strange reason nobody bought it, and the development studio went bankrupt.

I hope Wii owners prove to be different. This is hands down the better version of an already great game, and deserves to finally be played.

Beautiful, stunning, epic… flawed yet still great
Okami is probably the most stylistic and artistically engaging game on the Wii, to date. The bright, bold colors and amazing art style feels like a Japanese painting. Some people will disagree with me, but I feel the graphics are superior on the Wii compared to the PS2 version, although the parchment paper filter is no where near as pronounced in this game. That’s a shame, but unless you’ve played the PS2 version, it isn’t that big of an issue.

The game is impossible to play without drawing comparisons to Zelda games, and it is a fair and obvious comparison. Playing as Amaterasu the sun goddess, you interact with the world through her white wolf avatar and by using the celestial brush. The celestial brush is downright cool. You will draw a manner of objects to complete puzzles and can even use some of your drawings as attacks. There is a bit of a learning curve and it requires a steady hand, but the mechanic works.

As you adventure through the game your actions will gradually rejuvenate and rebuild a devastated world that has been consumed by evil. As you fight enemies and use the celestial brush to build bridges, draw rivers, complete constellations, and grow trees, the world becomes more and more lush as you play. It is a visual feast and what is even better is that you actually have some control over how portions of the world look.

All is not well in Okami, though. For example, the combat controls. Those take getting used to. For those of you that played Zelda: Twilight Princess, the combat controls will be a bit of a rude awakening. They aren’t broken, but they are not nearly as accessible as Twilight Princess. Timing your melee attacks is very important if you want to chain your combos together. It will take some practice. Or, you can do like I do and attack everything with the celestial brush drawings.

Okami Pros:
===> Stunning stylistic graphics.
===> A huge adventure based upon Japanese legend and myths.
===> The celestial brush is just plain cool.
===> Awesome boss battles that require using all of your celestial brush skills. Definitely a highlight of the game.

Okami Cons:
===> Camera control is kind of clumsy and could have been implemented in a better manner.
===> Melee combat controls are stiff and difficult to master. You’ll probably resort to using the celestial brush more than anything else in combat.
===> Clover Studios, the original developer is no longer in business and we will not be seeing any sequels to Okami. That is just sad and makes kittens cry because Clover Studios was a brilliant development house.

I would rate the game as family friendly. In fact, it is almost as much fun to watch as it is to play. It is a good game for players of most ages, but I think the learning curve would be a little too steep for younger children and the plot would be a little too obscure for most. There are a couple of very tame sexual innuendo references and numerous references to alcohol and alcoholism, sake wine to be specific, but it isn’t overt. Some parents may be surprised, but honestly there are Disney, Pixar, and Dreamworks movies that are infinitely more offensive. Half an hour of prime-time television would damage a child’s psyche more than this game ever could.

Overall, I highly recommend this game to fans of the Zelda franchise, anyone who enjoys Japanese culture, or anyone looking for a unique gaming experience. I won’t say that it is better than Zelda, but it compares favorably.