The Observer, October 6, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 6
Artistry, gaming blend brilliantly in Okami
The PS2 is nearing the end of its lifespan and releases are finally starting to diminish. Yakuza was released last month and Final Fantasy XII's American debut is in a few weeks, but there are far fewer games to be excited about this fall compared to previous years. However, there is one last bona fide classic which may have slipped under your radar. That game would be Capcom's Okami, a visually stunning masterpiece that almost rivals the Legend of Zelda series in quality.
The stars of Okami are a wolf god named Amaterasu (nicknamed Ammy) and her sidekick Issun, a bug-like character who speaks for the both of them. Their task is to rid the land of Orochi, an eight-headed dragon that has poisoned the earth. Eventually, the scope of the calamity increases, but the basic premise of restoring nature is present throughout. Though it apparently draws heavily from Japanese mythology, the story doesn't take itself seriously at all. Between the humorous dialogue (the vocalization is top notch) and the endearing characters, Okami will definitely put a smile your face.
As this adventure unfolds, you'll be stunned by the amazing graphics. Any debate as to whether or not videogames can be "art" must end right now. Okami often looks like a moving watercolor painting, with ornate landscapes and bold colors throughout. Imagining a mixture of Viewtiful Joe and The Wind Waker should give you some idea of what to expect, but this game needs to be seen in motion. The characters themselves are equally appealing; even the lesser enemies make a lasting impression. Some may not appreciate the canvas "filter" which covers the screen, but that's only a minor concern. As pleased as I've been by games such as Dead Rising and Oblivion, I can't think of a single 360 game that looks this beautiful.
Luckily, Okami does more than paint a pretty picture. The premise initially seems formulaic. Visit a town, explore a dungeon, defeat a boss, repeat. However, Ammy is unique in that she has a celestial brush at her disposal. This powerful tool lets you paint on the screen. Different strokes have different abilities, and you'll learn more of them as you progress. For instance, drawing a line intersecting through a circle produces a bomb, while drawing a crescent in the sky causes the moon to appear. Though you may be wondering why a game in which you're drawing your way to victory isn't on the DS, rest assured that this mechanic is very intuitive. What's really cool is that these techniques have unique effects outside of the various dungeons. For instance, early in the game you can draw a clothesline for an old woman, followed by a sun in the sky to dry her sheets. The celestial brush definitely makes even the most banal side-quests enjoyable.
Combat in Okami is enjoyable but could have been implemented better. Running into a floating enemy "scroll" initiates a battle, where combos and your art skills are essential. However, these fights rarely require skill. I always seemed to have more health items than I could ever use. Furthermore, because these fights are enclosed in an arena, they stall Ammy from getting from point A to point B. You might find yourself avoiding battles altogether.
I also had some major problems with the camera. Walking around walls or corners can be disorienting, and there is no lock-on function to keep things in focus. These issues would probably ruin a lesser game, but Okami does everything else so well that they're only slight irritations.
Do not overlook this game. Much like Shadow of the Collusus, Okami is a great example of how brilliant artistry and gameplay can be brought together. I just hope that unlike Shadow, Capcom's effort has more retail success.
