I want to start by saying that Okami is not an outstanding game in terms of its actual gameplay. First off, its platforming is off. The game prevents you from running off edges unless you use the jump button, and this makes segments where jumping is required very awkward. The combat is also a bit lackluster, since every enemy battle is in a small closed arena, rather than the dynamic potential of enemies out in the open fought on the larger overworld. The Celestial Brush, which lets you draw simple marks onto the scene to change reality, is inspired. It puts all of your main powers under one quick mechanic, sparing you UI and menus for different items. It's easily the game's best feature...but rarely are you given the chance to think about how you are meant to use it. Almost every puzzle is simple and/or spelled out by the game, which is such a waste. There's boundless potential for puzzles, but rarely do they truly puzzle. The dungeon setpieces feel imbalanced too, with some being hard to recognize as dungeons because they're so short, and others seeming a bit too long.
But the story and world is where it's at. This is a mashup of Japanese myths and looks the part, with a gorgeous ink-painted style that holds up beautifully. The game also features authentic paintings created for cutscenes. The story of wolf god Amaterasu collecting magical powers to save ancient Nippon (Japan) is suitably epic, but there's a lot of comedy and charm. Areas have intertwining stories showing how different cultures and people play their parts, and it's far from a predictable tale. I love the complexity of some of the progression and how the game isn't a straight path forward. Your companion character, Issun, is a tiny and charmingly brash painter who speaks for Amaterasu, though he is the source of a lot of the game's hand-holding nature and he's an unfunny and sometimes-worrying womanizer. His story is surprisingly well-developed and pays off, but he's not all great. For a mute wolf, Ammy has her own personality that's fun to see. The final boss of the game is also where the story and gameplay are at their most harmonious, though I suspect that's because the game finally goes hands-off at that point.
In the end, this is a game worth playing as an artistic product, though I don't think I can call it a uniquely good gameplay experience. I'm definitely a fan, but for the narrative more.
Decent gameplay, great story.
I want to start by saying that Okami is not an outstanding game in terms of its actual gameplay. First off, its platforming is off. The game prevents you from running off edges unless you use the jump button, and this makes segments where jumping is required very awkward. The combat is also a bit lackluster, since every enemy battle is in a small closed arena, rather than the dynamic potential of enemies out in the open fought on the larger overworld. The Celestial Brush, which lets you draw simple marks onto the scene to change reality, is inspired. It puts all of your main powers under one quick mechanic, sparing you UI and menus for different items. It's easily the game's best feature...but rarely are you given the chance to think about how you are meant to use it. Almost every puzzle is simple and/or spelled out by the game, which is such a waste. There's boundless potential for puzzles, but rarely do they truly puzzle. The dungeon setpieces feel imbalanced too, with some being hard to recognize as dungeons because they're so short, and others seeming a bit too long.
But the story and world is where it's at. This is a mashup of Japanese myths and looks the part, with a gorgeous ink-painted style that holds up beautifully. The game also features authentic paintings created for cutscenes. The story of wolf god Amaterasu collecting magical powers to save ancient Nippon (Japan) is suitably epic, but there's a lot of comedy and charm. Areas have intertwining stories showing how different cultures and people play their parts, and it's far from a predictable tale. I love the complexity of some of the progression and how the game isn't a straight path forward. Your companion character, Issun, is a tiny and charmingly brash painter who speaks for Amaterasu, though he is the source of a lot of the game's hand-holding nature and he's an unfunny and sometimes-worrying womanizer. His story is surprisingly well-developed and pays off, but he's not all great. For a mute wolf, Ammy has her own personality that's fun to see. The final boss of the game is also where the story and gameplay are at their most harmonious, though I suspect that's because the game finally goes hands-off at that point.
In the end, this is a game worth playing as an artistic product, though I don't think I can call it a uniquely good gameplay experience. I'm definitely a fan, but for the narrative more.