Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #742 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Capcom
• Released on: 2007-02-09
• Rating: To Be Announced
• Platform: PlayStation2

Amazon.co.uk Review
If you ever thought it odd that two CGI kids movies about talking ants could come out at the same time, followed by two about talking fish, consider the odds of two video games coming out within months of each other which involve controlling a wolf in a Legend of Zelda style game world. In actual fact Okami first came out in Japan almost a year ago, a long time before Twilight Princess. Nevertheless, this is the best Zelda style game ever on a non-Nintendo console and likely to remain one of the very best games released all year. Not only that but it features probably the most beautiful graphics ever seen on the PlayStation 2 with a completely unique cel-shading effect that makes the whole game world look like it is painted in Japanese water colours.

Throughout the game you control the goddess Amaterasu, who appears as a white wolf (okami is a pun on the Japanese words for both wolf and god). You're guided in your quest, a little too closely it has to be said, by a talking bug named Issun. Although Amaterasu can jump and head-butt, her primary interaction with the world is via the celestial brush. By pausing the game you can paint magic symbols onscreen to create objects in the world, from making plant life bloom to setting off giant bombs. As well as brush attacks, you can use a range of other weapons swapping between primary and secondary slots at will. Apart from Issun's signposting of every puzzle, and the occasionally poor pacing, this can easily hold its head high amongst Nintendo's greatest as one of the PlayStation 2's last, best games.
HARRISON DENT

Games Master
A compelling, beautiful game that's one of the most enjoyable adventures in years

Manufacturer's Description
Mixing Japanese folklore and a stunning traditional Japanese art style, Okami tells the story of a mythical sun god who sets out to restore a world to its former beauty and glory. Okami is the brainchild of Capcom's Clover Studio which is renowned for such innovative and critically acclaimed titles such as Steel Battalion and Viewtiful Joe series.

In Okami, 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, capable of wielding unimaginable power. The state of the world lies in gamer's hands as they 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.

Traditional Japanese art comes alive through beautiful scenic 3D levels that have the appearance and texture of paper scrolls brushed with watercolour-like calligraphy art. As a god in the form of a wolf, Amaterasu must reclaim its powers that are scattered throughout the earth, in order to help restore the land to its former beauty. As players progress through the game, they will travel to different regions in search of the other godly embodiments that are hidden, and regain Amaterasu's powers. Rooted in the third person perspective, gamers will need to interact with the people they encounter, building their faith by clandestinely answering their prayers and wishes. As gamers lead Amaterasu through diverse environments, they will come across extraordinary monsters that originated from Japanese folklore.

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 the bronze mirror of Yata on its back as well as a host of other unique abilities. This system allows the use 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.

Customer Reviews

Relaxing, quirky, wolf-based fun, but not for the impatient.
This game is visually stunning, with beautiful scenery, cute animals and an amazing look reminiscent of a Japanese watercolour painting. It is relaxing to play, and although there are demons and monsters to defeat, it is generally not very taxing to defeat them, the main pleasure being derived from solving puzzles along your quest. With such low levels of violence: I really can't understand why it has a 12 certificate.
My main gripe is that on first loading the game you have to sit through FORTY FIVE MINUTES of character dialogue, explaining in depth the legend behind the story. This is utterly boring and wordy, and it is a feature that unfortunatley repeats itself throughout the game. If you have played 'Animal Crossing' then you will be familiar with the repetitive character interaction neccessary to progress in this game.

On the whole though, it i a quirky and unusual game that I have really enjoyed.

Charming and throughly absorbing
The only amazon review I have ever written - I was so impressed by this game. Okami is very, very surprising. Other reviews will tell you in detail about the overall quality of the game (which is excellent), but I'd like to point out that Okami is among the very few games that genuinely have it in them to surprise a player with some experience of videogame cliches. Although Okami looks like a rather pretty cel-shaded rpg/adventure based in some version of feudal/mythical Japan, make no mistake: the game is absolutely bonkers. No game has ever defied my expecations to such an extent, and done it so confidently and with such flair. Often compared to Zelda, Okami benefits from not relying on established narrative tropes and repeated plot structures, and it is a breath of fresh air to play a game without being able to quickly figure out exactly where it is taking you. A must-buy, in my opinion.

not what i expected
I bought this game after reading wonderful reviews, but i got little bit disappointed.

Well, at first it was awesom. The graphics are really cool and when u start painting is amazing...but after a while....you see flaws.
First i must say that voice acting is anoying. They speak with this understandable voices, that seem cute in the beginning but then you get tired of hearing the green insect.
Story is fine, but nothing really impressive and the enviroment is a quite repetitive after a while. At the end you just have to feed animals, revive trees, dig holes and paint. Maybe because i am more to rpg games. In this game you need ability, a thing that i am lacking...and sometimes it took me ages to complete this minigames required to go forward...At last i couldnt more...i got tired of it.
If you like adventure games with plenty of minigames which require ability, then it is for u...otherwise look for something else