Okami 2’s Game Awards Reveal Stirred My Emotions

At Thursday night’s Game Awards, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when host Geoff Keighley, known for his composure, appeared emotionally overwhelmed. The reason? Capcom announced a sequel to the beloved PlayStation 2 classic, Okami, with its original director, Hideki Kamiya, returning to helm the project.

Seeing Keighley’s genuine emotion was a refreshing and relatable moment. As I watched the teaser — a medley of evocative music, scenes of a wolf dashing through landscapes, the Capcom emblem, and Kamiya’s name — I found myself tearing up too.

To offer some context, Okami, which debuted in 2006, is an enchanting game. It follows a celestial wolf deity as she battles spirits and aids troubled villagers, embodying a Zelda-like action-adventure experience. The game stands out for its stunning visuals, inspired by traditional Japanese art, featuring characters outlined in bold, inky strokes accentuated by soft watercolor hues.

I reviewed Okami back in the day for Edge magazine and awarded it a 9 out of 10, a score I remain confident in. However, it’s not among my personal top picks, as it tends to be lengthy and occasionally awkward. In terms of preference, I’d probably choose several Zelda titles over it.

Yet, Okami signifies a special era in gaming, especially in Japan, when studios ambitiously sought to broaden the artistic scope of video games. Sadly, despite its artistic achievements, Okami didn’t perform well commercially, leading to the downfall of Clover, the unique Capcom studio behind it. This closure eventually resulted in Kamiya and others departing to form PlatinumGames.

Capcom’s decision to reunite with Kamiya, now at the helm of his new studio, Clovers, for an Okami sequel suggests that the visionary spirit of that time hasn’t completely faded. It also indicates that the game’s several re-releases have proved successful enough to prompt Capcom to acknowledge and rectify past oversights.

As the announcement unfolded, I was captivated by a magnificent orchestral arrangement and a bold new visual style that trades inked outlines for vibrant, painterly splashes. The animation of the wolf deity, Amaterasu, racing through landscapes was breathtaking. However, what truly stirred my emotions, mirroring Geoff’s, was the significance of this announcement.

The broadcast transitioned from an elated Keighley to Kamiya, seated in the audience, his expression unreadable behind crimson shades. Known for his online persona, he might have found Keighley’s display too sentimental. If so, I suppose I’ll be joining Geoff on Kamiya’s mental block list!