Okami

[SubSane]

This game is looking awesome, and considering all the review scores thus far have been perfect or near perfect, it seems to be an essential PS2 title. There have even been claims of it being Zelda for the PS2.

More info... http://ps2.ign.com/objects/678/678618.html

[kupomog]

Yarrr I can't wait for this game. Looks really awesome. Got my desktop all Okami themed too :D

[Gunstar]

Been waiting for this for awhile now, and doesn't look like it's going to disappoint. Just the thing to pull me out of this gaming slump I've been in. It seems to favor puzzles over combat, which I wholeheartedly approve of.

For those who haven't seen it, the E3 trailer is amazing. (http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=7855971507865701342&q=okami)

I could listen to that damn music that kicks in at 1:35 forever.

[Jeremy]

The second I saw this, I knew I had to have it. I think a month of non-stop mag-related work is going to delay my purchase though. If I so much as see any other games during a tight deadline, I go nuts.

[Kiyosuki]

I played the demo at E3 about a year ago. It is a very visually stunning game. According to people who played the import, they tend to also say that it is a very fun and creative game. There's some minor critisism that its just an average platformer in a beautiful disguise, but thats such a broad and generalizing critisism that I can't not see it coming from the anal retentive gamers out there...although its something to consider of course. A lot of players though say that its controls, while taking some getting used to, are very nice and it really immerses you in the whole world it takes place in.

I really like the motif too, its delving into a part of Japanese folklore and mythology we rarely see outside of the country. We see so many Samurai epics, Ninja folklore, Oni folklore, action adventures etc. There's so much of the rich folklore of Japan such as Amaterasu, the very nature based mythology, and even the concept of the caligraphy and how its used in this game that we just never normally see. Its a very refreshing change of pace.

Unfortunatly I hear it only did moderatly well in Japan, but I expected that. Games this deeply rooted in their own mythology tend to not sell as well right now, but the Japanese gaming scene is so unstable at the moment anyways that its impossible to know what will be a success and what won't.

Either way though, you should probably give it a shot when its localized near you.

[TriforceBun]

I too played a demo of this, but the more recent one (at E3 2006).

I don't own a PS2; I actually spent about 90% of my time in Nintendo's booth. However, the demo for Okami was flat-out great--the game has an excellent style and atmosphere. It looks and plays beautifully; I just wish they'd port it to the Wii. It'd fit SO well.

Clover is a great studio. Viewtiful Joe rules.

[kupomog]

Herro chief ret's bump why not.

Okami is going to the Wii.

http://kotaku.com/gaming/rumor-confirmed/okami-wii-confirmed-312378.php

[Paul]

YES!!! Fucking loved that game, I guess I'll sell my PS2 copy. The Wii can handle its graphics, right?

New avatar to celebrate this announcement.

[kupomog]

I see no reason why it can't. The PS2 is technically weaker than the Xbox and the Xbox is technically weaker than the GCN and the Wii is technically stronger than both the salami and the bologna combined. I mean the GCN and Xbox, or at least around the same level of power as the Xbox if not slightly better. Technically.

Either way the point is it will look great and I have no doubts about itttttttttt and if any of you don't have the PS2 version for some reason but you have a Wii you need to get this game.

[Paul]

I've played and completed the PS2 original, but I'll be getting this port based entirely on its motion controls, and to play it as it's meant to be played.

I never knew the GameCube was the most powerful machine of the last-gen consoles, but I'm glad the Wii can outshine all three.

[kupomog]

It's a hardware parts thing, its the fastest of all the systems in its generation along with something else I can't recall that makes it actually quite powerful. You just don't really get to see it that much whether it's because of utilization in software or because the Xbox is so well known in that category as it is. as OMG GRAFIX.

Buttttt I'm totally getting Wii version too!

[Channel Surfer]

If the Wii gets rid of the atrocious but PS2 typical loading, it will be worth the port and ($30?) price. Earned way too many demon fangs out of sheer boredom with those paw mini games.

[Moe Nopoly]

i'm really looking forward to this game. I don't have the PS2 Version so its great that they release it now for the wii.

[Paul]

Hopefully it will ignite some interest in the game since it didn't sell very well the first time round, and open the door for a possible sequel.

[SubSane]

Pure. Fuckin'. Awesome.

[Tino]

Never played it but I'm getting it for the Wii.

[DAntae]

rented it and loved it, now a chance to own it for the wii. makes a lot of sense on this console.

[TriforceBun]

Kupomog gets +100 coolness points for referencing Wacky Delly.

Yeah, I heard about the Wii port--quite exciting news for this bun, the still-PS2-less Nintendo fan. I'll be sure to pick this up.

[Paul]

http://gonintendo.com/wp-content/photos/230247b.jpg

March 25th according to websites. Hopefully the European release won't be too long after...

[Kiyosuki]

The new box art is really beautiful.

[H Thompson]

I don't think I could be botherd to play through this again, even with the extra gimmick of the wii remote, but I'm almost tempted to buy this in support of it anyway.

[Paul]

I can't wait to play it again, I specifically held off from re-playing it on the PS2 once this version was announced.

[Paul]

The Capcom site has some screenshots of the Wii version, I don't know if it's my imagination but everything definitely seems a lot crisper:

http://drh.img.digitalriver.com/DRHM/Storefront/Company/capcomus/images/product/screenshot/Wii_Okami_screenShotLarge1.jpg http://www.wiisworld.com/images/news/newspics/okamiscreen-2.jpg http://www.wiisworld.com/images/news/newspics/okamiscreen-3.jpg
http://drh.img.digitalriver.com/DRHM/Storefront/Company/capcomus/images/product/screenshot/Wii_Okami_screenShotLarge2.jpg http://drh.img.digitalriver.com/DRHM/Storefront/Company/capcomus/images/product/screenshot/Wii_Okami_screenShotLarge3.jpg http://drh.img.digitalriver.com/DRHM/Storefront/Company/capcomus/images/product/screenshot/Wii_Okami_screenShotLarge5.jpg

And the European release is slated for March 28.

[H Thompson]

By the way this is how immature I am, I'm sure on that designing kimono's side quest, you drew a huge cock, am I right kupo?

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6759/dsc00042vi9.jpg

[kupomog]

A huge cock splooging, you mean.

[H Thompson]

well that goes without saying

[Milhouse Van Houten]

one of my favorite PS2 titles.

i will be buying this game.

[Paul]

A large hands-on preview (http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/852/852530p1.html) on IGN, with pics and clips, plus an interview (http://uk.wii.ign.com/articles/852/852531p1.html) with the studio that's importing it.

One of the biggest controversies seems to be that they have removed the "parchment filter". Personally I don't know what that is but I think the game is looking great, and the ability to skip cutscenes is a huge bonus for me.

[Channel Surfer]

Keep in mind that a lot of the possible problems with the conversion in IGNs preview has to do with the old build they were playing. The quasi-16:9 widescreen for instance in particular is going to be true 16:9 in the final release apparently.

http://kotaku.com/357445/okami-on-wii-controls-well-only-quasi+169-[update]

[SubSane]

The parchment filter is probably the effect that makes everything in the game look like it is drawn on parchment. It's essentially a semi-transparent texture over everything.

I agree with that exclusion being lame.

[kupomog]

This is my new fave site:

http://www.okamiart.com/

[SubSane]

I want that complete works book. Bad.

[SubSane]

So'd anyone pick this up for the Wii? I'll be getting it this weekend.

[Paul]

I would have done, had they kept the April 15th date for Europe. Now I don't know when it's coming out.

Ah, June 13th (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=134946). What a clever marketing tact - release it in the same month as Brawl(!) I'm sure sales will be MUCH better this time round.