_Alkaline_
Member
An Alkaline and PantherLotus creation
Published by: Capcom
Developed by: Ready At Dawn Studios / Clover Studio
Genre: Adventure
Release Date:
US: April 15, 2008
Japan: April 15, 2008
Europe: TBC
Price: $39.99
Summary:
Wii port of the first original title from Capcom's now defunct Clover Studio -- headed up by Viewtiful Joe producer Atsushi Inaba.The multiple award-winning action adventure Ōkami is now available on the Wii! Use the Wii Remote as a paintbrush to solve puzzles, create pathways, chop down trees or turn night into day. Ōkami comes alive through beautiful scenic 3D levels that have the appearance and texture of paper scrolls brushed with watercolor-like calligraphy art. Playing as Amaterasu, the sun goddess who takes on the form of a wolf, your goal is to bring life back to the world.
Redesigned to take advantage of this unique platform, the Wii version sports widescreen graphics and motion controls. Players uses the Wii Remote as the 'celestial brush' in an effort to seal ancient evils once again.
Interview with Ready At Dawn
Developer Ready at Dawn recently finished up work on its first Wii project, a port of Capcom's critically acclaimed adventure game, Okami. The developer recently answered a few questions about the porting process and clarified some details about the Wii incarnation of the project.
IGN - 9.0
If you have never played Okami before, you are in for an amazingly beautiful and awe-inspiringly epic adventure that simply must not be missed on Nintendo's console, particularly if you like games like Zelda. The title oozes charm and style from the opening credits and the Wii additions truly enhance the experience. Now, you can play the game in 480p and 16:9 widescreen, and you can do so using the Wii remote, which controls Amaterasu's celestial brush with a level of speed and accuracy never before possible. It's implemented so triumphantly that it actually changes the pace of the game, effectively speeding everything up...forget that Okami is nearly two years old. Forget that the ridiculously epic adventure, inspired by the Zelda franchise, was originally developed for PlayStation 2 and meant to be played with an analog stick. And forget anything Capcom ever said about testing the waters with Wii. You need to buy Okami for Nintendo's system. And if you don't, you'll be missing out on one of the most ambitious and thoroughly enjoyable Wii titles to date.
GameTap Review - 9/10
However, while a few minor things may have been lost in the port, Id argue that ultimately this is a more important game for the Wii than it was for the PS2. The Wiis unofficial designation as the console for everyone has meant that a lot of the games developed for the system are quick-hit multiplayer experiences; as a result, there arent a whole lot of deep single-player games available. Okami helps fill that void, and hopefully other publishers will be encouraged to make more games that do the same.
1UP - A
The gorgeous sumi-e Japanese watercolor world thankfully makes the translation intact, though. It looks more brilliant than ever in 480p and true 16:9 widescreen, which makes the rolling vistas all the more beautiful. As if the narrative weren't motivation enough, the unique art style will perpetually push you onward to the next area, just to see what it looks like. Every corner of the world feels novel; each of the game's bulbous bosses and plentiful basic enemy types revel in their own unique visual designs, introducing new aesthetic palettes and environments right up to the end. The papery-looking graphical filter is toned down to accommodate the Wii hardware, but it wasn't something I noticed until I was told about it (and even then, it wasn't a big deal)...For younger Twilight Princess fans, this is your true coming-of-age adventure...and for older gamers free of nostalgia's shackles, Okami provides a far more refreshing, creatively stimulating journey.
Nintendo Power - 7.5
Gamepro - 9.0
EGM - 91.7%
Play Magazine - 9.5
Current Gamerankings Average: 88.3%
More Screens!
IGN video review
Exploring the overworld
Nothing the brush can't do
More videos here!
Questions and Answers
Q: Is there any new content in this version
A: In terms of gameplay, no. What you got in the PS2 version is what you'll find here. Nothing more, nothing less.
Q: Are their any enhancements?
A: There certainly are! The game now arrives in 480p full widescreen, allowing for a sharper image. The colours in the game are also more saturated, making the game's beautiful art style stand out even more. There's also skippable cutscenes, and of course, the brand new Wii controls.
Q: How do the Wii controls work?
A: Here you go!
Q: Was anything ommitted?
A: Content-wise, no. However, the parchment filter effect has been made more subtle, and bloom lighting is either subdued or completely gone. However, the Wii version remains just as good looking, if not more so, due to the increased colour saturation and improved image quality.
Q: I heard the parchment filter is gone and that widescreen isn't in the game. Is this true?
A: NO! That was only reported from an early build of the game. Both elements are in the final version.
Credit
1. PantherLotus for his outstanding banners.
2. Clover Studios for creating this game.
3. Ready At Dawn for their extra effort in ensuring that this game finally reached its home.
4. Please post any news, reviews, art, etc on the game! I'll be sure to credit you!
Alkaline's Thoughts
If you have never played Okami before, then it shouldn't even be questioned - get this game. Even if you have played the game before on the PS2, like RE4: Wii Edition, it's definitely worth a second look given the implementation of Wii controls, especially at a price of 40 bucks. This is a truly beautiful game that deserves to be purchased by every single person who considers themselves not only a fan of gaming, but indeed, art and creativity.
Capcom claims it's "the best game you've never played." Let's change that.