Okami
If you've had your fingers on the PS2's hype machine pulse for a while then you've no doubt heard of Okami. This unique adventure game has received a lot of buzz among gaming press and players looking for something unique. Now that I've had some time with the game it's safe to say that, yes, that hype has been definitely warranted. Okami is a masterpiece.
In ancient times a great eight-headed dragon, Orochi, plagued the land and darkness had encroached upon every doorstep. The people of Kamiki Village were forced to offer a human sacrifice to one particularly powerful devil in order to maintain their so-called peace. One year though a white wolf arrived. The beast was met with fear as if it were a familiar of the great demon itself. When the village's mightiest warrior heads off to face the devil by himself the wolf tags along and helps the hero to seal the great evil. Years passed and the tale became legend. Shrines were erected in honor of the wolf and the warrior and peace had spread among the land. As we all know though; times change.
The demon awakens once again and darkness comes quickly. Thanks to the quick response of Sakuya the Wood Sprite, the god Amaterasu (Ammy for short) is reborn in the form of a statue dedicated to the white wolf. With the power of a celestial brush Amaterasu sets out on a quest to rid the world of darkness and restore the earth to its former glory.
If you're thinking to yourself that the tale in Okami sounds like a piece of Japanese folklore then you're definitely on the right track. That's the way the story is handled and it's the way that the game is presented. Everything about this game feels so surreal that it transcends the confines of its digital production. This isn't a game, it's an experience; one that anybody with a PlayStation 2 should not go without.
Gameplay:
Once you get through the fantastic bits of story and finally come to control Amaterasu you'll quickly realize just how surreal Okami is. I don't think I have ever played a game where you control an animal, but Capcom handled it like you're typical action game. Ammy can run, jump and attack with the best of gaming's heroes but there are a few subtle differences that set her apart from the others.
As you run around you'll pick up speed so long as you're not interrupted by an object or enemy. This definitely helps with getting from point A to B in a shorter span of time. Because Ammy is also a wolf there are a few animal-like things that you can do. Digging is easily the most prominent since you can dig up treasure chests, items and objects that will increase your amount of Praise Orbs. Ammy can also bark and pick up items or other animals in her maw.
Every now and then you'll also have to get into a fight with some demon or another. In that regard the combat system in Okami is relatively simplistic. When it's time for you to get down and dirty the game locks you into a smaller area and forces you to kill the monsters in your way in order to get out. Attacking is as simple as it gets because you simply press a single button to cause damage. Yes you can run around and jump while locked into this arena, but attacking and dodging only go so far in terms of variety. Because of this combat becomes more of an annoying chore than it should and I found myself frequently trying to just avoid battles all together. Luckily the Celestial Brush helped make things more interesting.
When you press R1 the screen goes kind of black and white and resembles a sheet of parchment with some ink on it. A calligraphy brush drops down above everything and by pressing the square button you can apply it to the screen. The brush moves wherever you move the cursor to and as long as you hold down the button it draws a design. Once you let go of R1 you're able to see the fruits of your labor and if your godly magic did any good.
In combat the single most effective and useful brush stroke is a simple side to side slash. When done over enemies this creates a powerful attack that will penetrate defenses and often slice them in half. This technique also works on objects in Ammy's environment such as trees, rocks and miscellaneous wooden things. As you play you'll also unlock more Brush powers such as the ability to turn night into day, create bridges out of thin air, lift curses and make flowers bloom, and even create bombs to reveal hidden areas.
The Celestial Brush is the single greatest aspect of Okami's gameplay. It's refreshing to have these kinds of powers and really sets this experience apart from others. The only downfall is that while your powers are vast they basically boil down to the same motions (circle or line). More complex designs would have helped add some depth to the game, though as it stands this is still a very welcome endeavor.
The game is set up very much like a Zelda game (a comparison that I'm sure many of you have already heard about). Ammy goes from location to location using her powers to rid evil from the land and restore everything to its rightful state. Amazing boss fights are a part of the road but sadly they truly are few and far between. Instead you'll be spending most of your time solving puzzles and trying to figure things out.
Unfortunately the puzzles in the game are another minor gripe of mine. You see, Ammy is accompanied on her quest by a bug-like thing named Issun who provides useful information and the like. The only problem is that Issun often gives away too much of what you have to do at a particular location. It's a form of handholding that takes some of the challenge away from the game and really makes it feel like game is geared more towards children despite the "T" rating. This isn't enough to ruin the game by any stretch of the imagination; it just limits the time you'll spend being stuck in some areas.
Overall the gameplay in Okami is brilliant, yet slightly flawed. This forty (or so) hour adventure is one of the freshest experiences that I've had in a very long time and it truly is visionary. The fact that the combat is too simple, the brushstrokes are rather limited and the game holds your hand for many of the puzzles doesn't necessarily kill the title; it just dings it a little bit. This is still an amazing title that simply must be played to be believed. I only hope that this isn't a one-shot deal and we get to see a second title like this from Clover Studio and Capcom.
Graphics:
It's not often that a game's graphics define the experience for me but the visuals presented with Okami go way beyond being skin deep. The graphics are integrated into the game in such a way that it's fluid like a Japanese watercolor painting. The game reeks of beauty on every level and is truly one of the most breathtaking titles I have seen in a long time.
Keeping up with the painted theme the game transcends being cel-shaded. Thick inky lines, bright colors and a constantly animated environment are key components that bring this game to life. Interacting with your surroundings is another way that showcases the beauty of this game. If you see a dull ashen tree just use your Brush and draw a circle over it to make it spring to life with vibrancy and grace. Playing Okami is like watching a fine watercolor masterpiece get painted. From start to finish this is easily the best looking game on the PlayStation 2 console.
Audio:
Let me start by saying that the soundtrack for Okami is marvelous. Sweeping tunes, atmospheric sounds and an ambitious soundstage helps the game become nearly as beautiful to listen to as it is to look at. Unfortunately there aren't any real voiceovers in the game. Instead we are given annoying gibberish that is akin to prior Zelda games and some stuff from the likes of Klonoa. I don't understand why there couldn't have been a dub of some sort because quite honestly the way the voices are handled gets old fast.
Conclusion:
It's a rare thing when a game comes along that changes the way you conceive digital entertainment. On every level Okami is a work of art and it doesn't skip a beat from start to finish. The package isn't entirely perfect thanks to some simplistic gameplay designs and the irritating noises used as voices, but this is an experience that has to be seen to be believed. With the lifespan of the PS2 shortening Capcom's latest entry is one of the console's best games and deserves a spot in every gamer's collection. Go get this game and get it now!