Okami Reviews

• A Classic Goes to the Wii

  
  By A29BQ6B90Y1R5F on 2008-04-17
  Pros:
  
  +Reissue of one of the best Playstation 2 games.
  +A good storyline
  +A beautiful and stylish game
  +Incredible soundtrack
  +Wii Controls work well
  
  Cons:
  
  -There aren't any Wii Exclusive Extras
  -No voice acting, though this isn't a big issue
  -If you own this game on the Playstation 2, the new controls probably don't justify buying the game
  
  In 2006, Capcom released Okami. It's a game that didn't have a long lifespan, despite being on the PS2. It has commonly gone on to be labeled one of the most underrated (and probably underplayed) games of all time. However, it quickly garnered a cult following. For anyone who missed the Playstation 2 version, here's a chance to play it on the Wii. Even if you played the Playstation 2 version to death, Okami on the Wii is worth giving a try.
  
  You play as Amaterasu. She's the Sun God of Japan and must now save the it from being overtaken by an evil curse that has spread across the land. Amaterasu is joined by her companion Issun. The overall story of Okami is brilliant. It's told through text dialog with no voice acting to speak of. While there's some garbled gibberish going on when the words appear on screen, there's no voice acting whatsoever. This is forgivable, though. What may throw some people however, is that some of the games cutscenes are pretty long, and they're pretty text heavy.
  
  When it comes to graphics there are some games that put style over substance and some that put substance over style. Okami manages to do both. Not only is the game one of the most beautiful looking games ever released on a video game platform, it's also incredibly stylish, colorful, and detailed. Despite being released in 2006, Okami still manages to be one of the best looking games out there. Even today, there are few games that look as good as Okami does. From time to time you may just want to stop your progress and admire the game's beauty.
  
  In terms of gameplay, Okami is very reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda games. You'll go into dungeons and villages and battle bad guys and solve puzzles most of the time. Combat itself is fairly simple, and the Wii controls are actually pretty good here. You'll flick the Wii Remote to attack and you can use the Nunchuck to dodge. For the most part, the controls are pretty similar to The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. Combat is also pretty simple. Even against the bosses. It's very unlikely you'll die even once through Okami. The biggest draw to Okami, however, and the main reason it makes sense to release this game on the Wii, is the Celestial Brush.
  
  The Celestial Brush is more than just a gimmick. You'll need it to get through much of the game's moments and you'll find you have to use it very often. Using the brush you can do things like, make the sun come out when it's dark, or cut through stone. You'll gather more skills as you traverse through the game. You'll even need to use it in combat to defeat enemies. What makes the Wii Version so much better is that actions with the celestial brush can be executed much faster than could be done on the Playstation 2 version. The moment you start using the Wii Remote as a paint brush, you probably won't want to go back to using an analog stick for the task again.
  
  If there was any problem concerning the gameplay, it would be that the controls take time to get used to and that they do not always respond. The controls work well, but stringing together attacks can be a problem sometimes. When you finally get the rhythm down, though, the controls are pretty solid.
  
  There may not be any voice acting in Okami, but there is a fantastic soundtrack at work. There are still few games that sound as good as Okami does. Part of what helps the music, however, is that it really gets you absorbed into this world. More so than most video games. The adventure also lasts for quite some time, but it isn't boring and just when you're positive you've mastered everything there is to master, the game throws in another mechanic to keep it interesting.
  
  The only major thing holding Okami back, really, is the lack of Wii exclusive extras. It's worth trying the game if you played through the Playstation 2 version. On the other hand, it might not be worth buying just for the controls alone if you've still got your original copy.
  
  The good news, however, is Okami has aged well. Even by today's standards, the game is fresh.
  
  

• Still spectacular, a must own

  
  By AJKWF4W7QD4NS on 2008-04-20
  Back in 2006, Capcom and now defunct developer Clover quietly released a game for the PS2 that ended up being one of the most original, inventive, and addicting masterpieces that ever graced the system. That game was Okami, and now it is here on the Wii, and it is certainly a match made in heaven. For those unfamiliar with Okami, you play as the goddess Amaterasu, who has been reincarnated in the body of a mystical white wolf. Armed with a celestial paint brush that is used to progress through the game and take out enemies, Okami never ceases to amaze even to this day. Though the story and quest elements borrow heavily from Legend of Zelda, Okami features an engaging narrative and interesting and charming characters to come across. The game is still a gorgeous sight to behold, and the quest itself is quite lengthy with plenty of side quests and collectibles to be found as well. On the Wii, Okami makes solid use of the motion controls when using the paint brush, and it works pretty well. If there are any downsides to Okami, it is the same single flaw that the game featured when it was originally released: the combat may be found to be too easy for some. That aside, Okami is still a masterpiece of modern gaming, and now that it has hit the Wii, a whole new audience of gamers can discover just how wonderful this game really is. If you missed out before and you own a Wii, don't miss out on Okami again.
  
  

• Beautiful

  
  By A2ZGDHLJ85T6AD on 2008-04-17
  Too often we read about "good graphics" in techincal jargon; 1080p, 60FPS, or 9,000,000 polys. If any game proves that visual beauty can't be quantified in numbers, and should instead be described with color, line, and form, it's Okami.
  
  The reason is simple. Okami is the most beautiful game that's ever been made, an opinion shared with major magazines when it was heralded as Game of the Year in 2006 (it was competing with Zelda: Twilight Princess and Gears of War for the title, and won). Now in 2008 and released for the Wii, still no game has surpassed the artwork in Okami. After you rescue the first sapling, you'll understand why.
  
  The gameplay is more original than magazine reviews would lead you to believe. They all agreed it's great, but said it's similar to Zelda, though I found it to be much more original, adult, and the gameplay to require more skill and depth. Pulling off a 4-strike combo, for example, takes the timing of a Guitar Hero veteran.
  
  Okami was originally a PS2 title, but don't let that turn you off. It belongs on Wii. This had to have been made for the Wii, there's no other explanation. The brushstrokes, which are used for nearly every fight and obstacle, come so naturally to the wiimote, that it's impossible to remember how it was ever done with a gamepad.
  
  What's sad is that Okami bombed on PS2. It had great reviews and a Game of the Year title, a strong fanbase, but for some strange reason nobody bought it, and the development studio went bankrupt.
  
  I hope Wii owners prove to be different. This is hands down the better version of an already great game, and deserves to finally be played.
  
  
  

• Beautiful, stunning, epic... flawed yet still great

  
  By A3ALLLC2FXZ134 on 2008-04-17
  Okami is probably the most stylistic and artistically engaging game on the Wii, to date. The bright, bold colors and amazing art style feels like a Japanese painting. Some people will disagree with me, but I feel the graphics are superior on the Wii compared to the PS2 version, although the parchment paper filter is no where near as pronounced in this game. That's a shame, but unless you've played the PS2 version, it isn't that big of an issue.
  
  The game is impossible to play without drawing comparisons to Zelda games, and it is a fair and obvious comparison. Playing as Amaterasu the sun goddess, you interact with the world through her white wolf avatar and by using the celestial brush. The celestial brush is downright cool. You will draw a manner of objects to complete puzzles and can even use some of your drawings as attacks. There is a bit of a learning curve and it requires a steady hand, but the mechanic works.
  
  As you adventure through the game your actions will gradually rejuvenate and rebuild a devastated world that has been consumed by evil. As you fight enemies and use the celestial brush to build bridges, draw rivers, complete constellations, and grow trees, the world becomes more and more lush as you play. It is a visual feast and what is even better is that you actually have some control over how portions of the world look.
  
  All is not well in Okami, though. For example, the combat controls. Those take getting used to. For those of you that played Zelda: Twilight Princess, the combat controls will be a bit of a rude awakening. They aren't broken, but they are not nearly as accessible as Twilight Princess. Timing your melee attacks is very important if you want to chain your combos together. It will take some practice. Or, you can do like I do and attack everything with the celestial brush drawings.
  
  Okami Pros:
  ===> Stunning stylistic graphics.
  ===> A huge adventure based upon Japanese legend and myths.
  ===> The celestial brush is just plain cool.
  ===> Awesome boss battles that require using all of your celestial brush skills. Definitely a highlight of the game.
  
  Okami Cons:
  ===> Camera control is kind of clumsy and could have been implemented in a better manner.
  ===> Melee combat controls are stiff and difficult to master. You'll probably resort to using the celestial brush more than anything else in combat.
  ===> Clover Studios, the original developer is no longer in business and we will not be seeing any sequels to Okami. That is just sad and makes kittens cry because Clover Studios was a brilliant development house.
  
  I would rate the game as family friendly. In fact, it is almost as much fun to watch as it is to play. It is a good game for players of most ages, but I think the learning curve would be a little too steep for younger children and the plot would be a little too obscure for most. There are a couple of very tame sexual innuendo references and numerous references to alcohol and alcoholism, sake wine to be specific, but it isn't overt. Some parents may be surprised, but honestly there are Disney, Pixar, and Dreamworks movies that are infinitely more offensive. Half an hour of prime-time television would damage a child's psyche more than this game ever could.
  
  Overall, I highly recommend this game to fans of the Zelda franchise, anyone who enjoys Japanese culture, or anyone looking for a unique gaming experience. I won't say that it is better than Zelda, but it compares favorably.
  
  

• A modern classic revisited

  
  By A1AISPOIIHTHXX on 2008-04-20
  It frequently happens when a game or a movie comes out that everyone seems to love yet nobody even bothers to go see it. Sometimes they have the good sense to know when something is awful so they avoid but then on other occasions they don't support it enough even though the general attitude is how incredible it was. When Okami was coming out for the PS2, it became one of those anticipated titles thanks to its unique and utterly beautiful visual style but despite the acclaim and awards, it wasn't a success and the studio, Clover Studios, had to close down. But fans kept speculating that the unique gameplay involving the brush could work well on the Wii or DS and pretty soon a Wii-port was announced. With some enhances features, the game is just as good on any system.
  
  Story: The people of Kamiki Village used to live in fear of the 8-headed demon Orochi, who demanded a sacrifice from one of the village maidens during their festival. But the swordsman Nagi, who secretly loved the maiden chosen, had enough and decided to fight him off but couldn't damage him in anyway until Shiranui, a mystical white wolf, appeared and together, they banished Orochi away but Shiranui succumbed to his injuries. 100 years later, Orochi seems to be resurrected so the wolf, reincarnated as Amaterasu, is brought forth to restore beauty and peace to the land.
  
  Graphics: A lot of times sayings like "work of art" when it comes down to graphics is usually because of how shiny and sharp it is but when you say Okami is like a painting come to life, it's literally the case. Done in Japanese watercolor style, the game is filled with beautiful moments and rarely does the game ever get boring to look at. With the progressive scan on and the game running in 16:9, this is bound to be one of the more gorgeous games in your collection.
  
  Sound/Music: Another successful feature of the game was its soundtrack which seems to marry traditional Japanese instruments and melodies with more grandiose arrangements and using synthesizers and it's one of the more memorable soundtracks on the PS2 and the Wii. Unfortunately, rather than using just text or voice acting for the dialogue, they opted for a more "Animal Crossing"-type vibe where it's gibberish which you can't turn off and while scenes can be skipped the story goes with it so you have to suffer through that chipmunk chatter in order to get the story and listen to the music.
  
  Gameplay: It's hard not to compare Okami with the 3D installments of the Zelda series and indeed memories might flood in of playing as the wolf from Twilight Princess. But the game is so immersive that you don't even bother noticing. With puzzles to complete, sidequests, praise to get (do a good service and you can get points to level up certain attributes) and even animals to feed, there's lots to do and that's not even including the main quest. Only thing that might turn gamers off is that first initial hour or so which feels slightly sluggish but once you start beating bosses, exploring and restoring the land, it's very easy to get into.
  
  What made Okami so unique was the idea of the "Celestial Brush" where the screen would turn into a canvas and drawing certain shapes could bring special events. Draw a circle during nighttime and it transforms instantly to day, do the same to a dead tree and it magically comes to life. Others such as drawing a straight line either to cut enemies and things in the environment or swirls to represent wind are just some of the special techniques you can do with the brush. Thanks to the Wii-controls, it's also more accurate and quicker and not sluggish like the PS2; however it's very easy to have a drawing fail and it actually took me a couple tries to draw a line through an enemy so even if it is more accurate, it can also be a bit picky.
  
  The other slight nitpick people might have is during combat where instead of button presses, shaking the Wii-mote has you attack and it takes a bit of getting used to and timing tends to count for a lot this time. It's kind of a weird situation when the accuracy in the drawing is better in one version but the combat mechanics were better in the other. Go figure. Oh and also: slight nitpick though it's not as serious but there was a slight paper effect on the screen on the PS2 so that it really made it look like the game came to life on paper but here it's not as pronounced but the game looks incredible anyway so complaining about a paper effect seems kind of trivial.
  
  While I really doubt Okami will have the success of Brawl or Twilight Princess, this game really should be in the hands of a lot more gamers than it'll probably get. Very recommended.
  
  
• Astounding!
  By A1II847L60F9V1 on 2008-04-22
  This game is absolutely astounding in almost all aspects.
  
  The story is immersive, original, and provides a great window to Japanese culture, specifically: the Japanese religion of Shinto and its surrounding mythology. Dialogue is lively and interesting, albeit a little slow at times, but in the end it all adds to the storyline.
  
  Graphics are amazingly beautiful: this is probably the most beautiful game on the Wii (rivalling Mario Galaxy, for sure), and definitely the most original visual style of any game on any console in the past couple years. Landscapes are detailed to the smallest aspect and I can agree with a common view: the game itself is a piece of art. Framerates and camera are all solid, though the camera can be slightly clunky at times, but nothing major at all.
  
  Gameplay is great, with a wide variety of side missions to take on between dungeons, plenty of items and upgrades available, and big, challenging dungeons. The fighting is fun and rewarding especially as you unlock and use more of the celestial brush moves, stringing combos and specials together. Some say the controls are a bit hard, but for me, they took less than half an hour to get used to, and I rarely have problems now. Controls overall are very smooth, again, rivalling those of Nintendo's games.
  
  At $40, this game is an absolute steal, good fun for almost anyone with a liking for adventures and epic stories. The learning curve is there, but not very steep, and the game holds your hand through all the initial stages. Various reviews have given it a 9+ out of 10, and I'd agree, it's definitely at least a 9.5. For $40, you're getting at least 40-50 hours of solid, brilliantly crafted gameplay, set in an immersive environment of colorful artwork and deep culture.
  
  
• Fantastic, few flaws
  By AYSP1WL8M34B4 on 2008-04-24
  Amazing game.
  
  If you missed out on the PS2 game and own a wii, buy this. Now.
  
  The graphics are unique and creative, gameplay is solid (with only slight control problems), and the music is fantastic. It supports 420p and widescreen, which even improves the great look of the game even further. The story is good and presented fantastically. It has a great deal of similarities to Zelda, but is still very different, which things like the celestial brush. Only problems with it are the slight control problems within combat and a difficult camera system.
  
  Overall, great game.
  
  
• What a fantastic game!!
  By A1M2V55XIDQ5TD on 2008-05-28
  I am not usually an adventure gamer...I am a huge fan of Maxis-type games (Sim City, The Sims) and Mario-style platformers where the violence consists of natural disasters or bopping enemies on the head. Even in Mario Galaxy, I generally hand the controller off to my boyfriend when there is a boss level, and he defeats Bowser, so I can move on. Okami takes bosses and battles and makes them FUN!
  I heard great things about the PS2 Okami, so when it came out for Wii, I thought I would give it a try...Now I am immersed in the beautiful adventure game. Last night I had a blast defeating an eight-headed monster, and I was thrilled to find out the game has so much more to it. I can't believe one of the reviewers complained at the length of the game...it should just tell you - don't rent it, buy it!
  The Wii controls are fantastic...I admit the painting styles and the melee attacks took some getting used to. I had some frustration with the "power-slash" at the beginning of the game, but as it is probably the most common brush stroke for later battles, I was glad to have plenty of practice! The camera angles can be a bit goofy, but can easily and quickly be corrected, even during intense battles.
  I'm sure to some gamers, this plot will be a little too deep, the graphics too much like a watercolor...but to me, this made the game much more compelling.
  Highly recommended!
  
  
• For the Uninitiated, an Amazing Experience
  By A1HR9ZR9M5TDW0 on 2008-04-29
  Play Okami for fifteen minutes and you'll definitely get the sense that this game is different. From classic style sumi-e paintings used during cut scenes to kanji characters flying at you from all directions during special effects, Okami does more than remind you that many video games originate in Japan -- it might just give you culture shock.
  
  Yet, at the same time, the perspective the player takes allows an easy and almost total immersion into this world of Japanese mythology. You are a god -- that's really all you need to know. Given the open avatar of Amaterasu, it's easy to start to fall in love with the game world whether or not you identify with the cultural motifs present. The story is superbly polished, and probably the game's greatest draw. It's a whopper, full of twists and turns, and very well written. It's amazing the pains to which the dialogue goes to stay consistant, often times minutely changing depending on the order in which you visit certain (seemingly trivial) locations.
  
  Of course, the graphical feel of the game, from the cel-shading to the excellent animation (few games seem to get wolf animations to the point where they actually appear realistically graceful), is almost the game's claim to fame. The game is as close to a living painting as I've seen interactive entertainment get. Despite being a few years old at this point, it stands up amazingly well thanks to its reliance not on polygon count but on effective creative decisions, such as the stylized mountains that serve as a backdrop to the game's first village. The aural and visual reward you get for completing simple tasks, such as revitalizing a dead tree, make simply exploring the over-world a treat.
  
  The gameplay is fairly reminescant of the Zelda series, to an uncanny degree at times (such as the "you solved a puzzle!" sound, and dungeon camera pans). However, the Celestial Brush gives the game something truly unique, and might even make you feel like an artist of sorts as you draw your way across a crevass or through a solid wall. Drawing with the wii-mote makes me wonder how anyone ever used a joystick to do the same thing, although it takes a little practice to get the lines straight.
  
  The combat is where the flaws of the Wii controls stand out; things can get rocky with certain weapons, as the motion sensitive controls do not always make the most sense for timing precise attacks, especially when you need to hold a certain position to charge an attack and then move to release it. Still, all the weapons are usable with practice, although it's true that the dodge move bought at the Dojo (which you can choose not to buy, with no penalties) rarely goes the direction you move the Nunchuck. However, the quickness with which you can draw using the Celestial Brush outweighs this disadvantage in my opinion, although I have not personally played the PS2 version.
  
  In conclusion, for those new to the game, I would give my highest recommendation. For those who already caught it on the PS2, without any new content it's hard to justify the purchase just for the control change. Looking back at the sad story of Clover Studio's disbanding, it's truly a pity we aren't playing a sequel instead of a port, even if a game like this is hard to top.
  
  EDIT: An addendum. Of note to those playing this game on the Wii is the fact that Capcom has cut the original staff credits/epilogue at the end of the game, a beautiful 5 minute cinematic set to the "Reset" song (japanese lyrics). Apparently this was simply because the cinematic contains the clover studios logo, which they do not own the rights to. The credits cinematic is an essential part of the ending I feel, and I am saddened that Capcom did not include it. If you beat the game, I would recommend you find it on Youtube as soon as the ending sequence they left in concludes.
  
  
• Truly Beautiful....but
  By AZ0X6CD807O4C on 2008-05-03
  First off, don't get me wrong. The artwork in this game is absolutely breathtaking and beautiful. Original to the extreme, and for awhile I did have fun. But in the end I was more frustrated than happy with the game. The tutorial in the game takes forever to get past, I know its necessary but it's a little long-winded if you ask me. Once you finally get past that you're free to play the game and defeat a TON of demons. I do mean a lot. It can get a little repetitive, at least for me it did. And sometimes I was at a loss for what to do next. Than I found out that once I beat the what I thought was main boss the game is only about half-way over. Sorry, its too long for me. Maybe it was because I rented it and only had a week to play and it was near finals week at school but I just don't think the game was the best it could of been. I gave it three stars for the artwork and story.
  
  
• this game is really awful
  By A1TLPGDCKAFKQ8 on 2008-05-07
  The only way I can explain all the good reviews for this game is that clearly all the people who hate it are trying to forget that they dropped a chunk of change on it and it's absolutely awful. You might notice that other reviewers have said the controls are a bit finicky. That is an understatement. And think about it...it's a bit like saying, "hey, that's a really great-looking car...it's too bad THE STEERING WHEEL doesn't work!!!" Having responsive controls is pretty important to be able to enjoy a game, in my opinion. This game is incredibly frustrating. You can paint the same brush stroke 18 times and do absolutely nothing different on brush stroke 19, and for some reason, it will work. It's often also not at all apparent what you're supposed to do. Although there's a certain amount of (enjoyable) discovery required for other games, Okami takes this to a rather unenjoyable level. My partner bought it and was so frustrated with it after spending a few days trying to get into it that I ran out at 8:30 on a Sunday night to get her something she would actually enjoy. What did I buy? Zelda. She loves it. We'll be selling Okami on craigslist the first chance we get. The up-side to all of these misleading good reviews is that we shouldn't have any trouble unloading it!
  
  
• Beyond Epic
  By A26255E0YUCEAC on 2008-05-11
  This game is an incredible work of art and imagination. It is unfairly compared to Zelda games, yet it occupies a space of its own. It does not follow the familiar Zelda pattern of travel/dungeon/item/boss/heart. The feel is more open, and yet you never get lost.
  
  The one thing that nobody can deny is that this is an amazing game to look at. Every frame looks like a hand drawn Japanese painting.
  
  The game is extremely long and deep - perhaps even too much so. And yet there is a constant supply of new characters and locations, all meticulously detailed. As an example, even though the typical warp locations are available to move from point to point, I prefer to travel only by foot, because there will always be something I missed - and even if not, it's just nice to look at.
  
  Some have complained about the controls. For combat, I use the rosaries and have never had a problem with getting the desired response. The game can be hard-headed about recognizing the intention of your ink strokes at times. However, you will discover that the practice of playing the game eliminates this as an issue. (I struggled with multiple power strokes and making trees bloom at first, but now those moves go off without a hitch - somehow you just lock in with the game)
  
  As mentioned, the game is very long, and can be chatty at times. Sometimes you'll wish your little companion would let you figure things out on your own. However, it does eliminate the problem that plagues most games of this type - vague or misleading clues. No need to refer to internet guides here.
  
  The music is wonderful and complements the game perfectly.
  
  I should also say something about the enemies - although you acquire a number of brush techniques, weapons, scrolls etc. there is a great variety in enemy weaknesses and attack patterns. You can't just power button mash your way through. So save at every opportunity, because the game doesn't take you back to any place other than your last save spot. Also, the save "mirrors" are scattered quite unevenly. It would be better to have a Resident Evil 4 style continue system, but if nothing else, it increases the urgency of encounters.
  
  
• Amazing
  By AXBZY0Z51OKTO on 2008-05-13
  Having never owned a PS2, I had not ever played this game before. I certainly heard the critical acclaim that this game has received over the last couple of years, and was stoked to say the least about hearing its arrival on the Wii. I bought it for my 8 year old daughter, and have been fighting for time on this game ever since. She loves it. I love it. I am impressed with the depth and the intensity of the story. The Wii remote works perfectly with this game. I had reservations about how my daughter would pick up the "strokes" and movements in the game, but she hasn't missed a beat. This game cannot be described accurately in words. It's just beautiful. Stylized animation, a great story, along with a unique style of combat, using gestures and strokes of a giant brush, make for a gaming experience that I have fell in love with. These games do not come out very often. A joy to play.
  
  
• My absolute favorite game.
  By A2MK15P2BLZM6J on 2008-05-13
  I can't say enough good things about this game. The game universe is huge. The whole game looks like a japanese painting, which is not only beautiful, but a nice change from other games. The characters are numerous. Using the Wii remote to control the brush is probably the best part of the game. The more you play, the more adept you become at using specific brush strokes. I particularly like the different enemies you fight, which are based on japanese folklore.
  
  
• Best Game Out There
  By A7Y2AGMD21BEA on 2008-05-13
  When trying to describe the game Okami, several words come to mind....Delightful....Charming....Lovely....Interesting. I guess what I'm trying to say, is that "fun" and "cool" simply don't seem to cut-it even though those words easily apply as well. I won't go into plot and storyline since many of the other reviews have done an excellent job in detailing. Instead I'd like to tell you why I feel Okami is a must-have game. For those gamers like me who love puzzle and adventure games, Okami is a feast for the soul! Beautiful graphics, charming and witty characters, and plenty of difficult quests to accomplish plus awesome use of the Wii Remote-- This is what you get right from the start. And just when you think the game can't top itself, something mind-blowing happens--Something so unique and imaginative....well....words just fail to describe it. To compare Okami with other games out there is like comparing a fast-food meal off the dollar menu with a three-course meal at a gourmet restaurant. Except that with Okami, you aren't going to pay "gourmet" price because unlike other games, Okami is a great value! Basically, what it all comes down to is that Okami is extremely satisfying in pretty much every way....and if you STILL don't believe me, there's nothing else I can say except-- Give it a try! I promise, you will not be sorry.
  
  
• A work of art
  By A3MIQA00UI5EXS on 2008-05-24
  First off, I believe this is the same 'game play' as the PS2 version. However, the controls are done perfectly for the Wii. To call it a port is not doing this version of Okami justice.
  
  It is a gorgeous game where you, as a japanese god in the form of a wolf/dog, are bringing beauty and life back to feudal Japan after a demon was set loose and mucked everything up. If you are familiar with the shinto pantheon, many of the names and characters will be familiar.
  
  The game play is reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, and if you enjoy Zelda games, this is definitely the game to pick up, especially at this price.
  
  
• Great game!
  By A2VZ6IFQAA9I0T on 2008-05-25
  Had a lot of fun with this. Highly recommended, great dialog, lots of care was taken in making the interactions with other characters and the environment entertaining. Beautifully rendered. Would recommend most for Legend of Zelda fans, people who like a good story+characters, and interesting artwork. Not recommended for people who like voice-acting, of which this game has none. Also, not a very challenging game (I could say the same for the recent Zelda games, though.)
  
  
• Fantastic!
  By A302HEUL2AJ3BA on 2008-05-29
  I read lots of reviews before I pick up a game and this was no exception. Okami is a port from the original PS2 version and there really haven't been any additions as far as content goes since then. However, this game is monsterously long and is in no need of additional content. It's a beautiful game that is very stylised; it has more or less drawn or painted graphics and this sets the game apart from anything else previous to it. The Wii version of the game has one draw back however, one control of one fairly insignificant ability is works 25% of the time at best. It's not required to even get this ability in the game but it would be nice to have. Everything else is superior to the PS2 version in my opinion. This is a great game reguardless of which edition you get but Wii has my vote. If you enjoy games like Zelda this you'll enjoy this game.
  
  
• Better than Zelda
  By A2J9UEYG6YP6D9 on 2008-05-30
  If you had to decide between this or the Zelda game on the Wii, this game should be the choice. Sure, the controls are a bit clunky at first, but once you get down the controls this game is actually quite fun. You run, jump, paint, battle, and the like, but you'll enjoy the story and humor the most.
  
  
• play this game!
  By AUTDIRNX5NKWM on 2008-05-31
  I plaied this on My PS2 and I loved it then it's even better with the Wii! It's easier to do some of the quest on the Wii compared to the PS2, but it was easier to do some of the attacks with the PS2 witch is the only problem I had. Over all the Game is just beautiful with the old Ukyo style art work and it's nice to have them talk and yet not talk, it's kinda a beeping noise witch isn't as annoying as you'd think it would be. All together the story is beautiful and the art work is different and a welcome change. I say if your looking for a fun different game to play this is it! Play it! Love it! Play it again!
  
  
• Okami Port is not to be missed
  By A32LJWQTKI20R1 on 2008-06-03
  After missing out on the PS2 version, I am very glad to have gotten a hold of the Wii release. It is a fantastic game that will appeal to RPG fans of Zeldaish titles and even regular adventure game fans. Playing the game for the art style alone is more than enough reason, comparable to REZ for its art innovation. Grab it if you are a long time gamer or just looking for something easy on the eyes.
  
  
• beautiful and engaging
  By A3DS48QULK03S8 on 2008-06-03
  What a great game!
  Beautiful stylized graphics and engaging gameplay. The wii remote is put to great intuitive use. So glad I bought this game and encourage any gamer to do the same.
  
  
• Fantastic
  By A274GCCMJJEKJC on 2008-06-08
  This game is exciting and addicting. I'd even say that it tops Twilight Princess.
  
  The action seems to come at the pace you want, like an RPG. You can hit all of the demon scrolls you want and sprint everywhere, or chill out and search for hidden treasure or roll a giant acorn up a hill.
  
  The story is cute but antiquated- not very progressive, but that wasn't a problem for me. There's a unique segment in the middle of the story that sets this game apart from other binary good vs. evil games. (MILD SPOILER) You defeat the "final boss" and there's a big party afterwards, then the game continues. (END SPOILER) It was like an ending scene in the middle of the game. I thought this was an awesome departure from most hack/slash/shoot through the level kill the last boss then on to the next level games.
  
  I tend to have a great time exercising a kind of OCD in finding all of the missing pieces in games like these. Somehow changing the fabric of reality with a new supernatural brush technique to solve the puzzle seems more exciting than using the new piece of gear to do the same.
  
  I think that developers could go further in reinventing gameplay in all video games. That's why I bought a Wii rather than a PS3/Xbox 360. I was done with games trying to put a fresh coat of paint on Doom or Baldur's gate. Thematically this game is a huge step in the right direction. In terms of gameplay, Okami is/was unique and the Wii controls really let that shine. The music is great and I'm a notorious music snob. You're going to have a lot of fun with this one. I hope that the success of Okami heralds more innovation from developers. It seems that Ready At Dawn will put out a few more hot jams in 2009/near future too. After this one I'll be on the lookout.
  
  
• A Breathtaking Painting for your viewing pleasure!
  By A1KWGHYT39PWI2 on 2008-06-11
  When I first heard from a friend about Okami on the PS2 and saw videos of it. I was so sad that I was probably never going to play it since I wasn't entirely interested in buying a system for just one game; but when I heard that it would be released for the Wii as well, I was ecstatic!
  The game is truly a beauty to behold with vibrant, clear, water-colored visuals resembling that of a painting. The style lends itself well to the overall story, setting and characters that you meet over the course of the game.
  The game starts off slow initially but after the mandatory 'teach players how to play' section, the game gets into full swing and I was astounded at the sheer scope of the game and how big the overall world was. I love the fact that you can go back to every past area you've been to with a new brushstroke and still find something new.
  The gameplay is very reminiscent of Zelda and the developer actually mentioned being a Zelda fan as well which might have influenced the overall direction of the game. But in reality, it doesn't matter how much it borrows from Zelda. It is an extremely fun action adventure game with your typical dungeon scenarios (forest, shrine, cave, etc.) with a few unique ones mixed in.
  This wouldn't be a fair review without saying something about its flaws, the play control when it comes to the Celestial brush is a bit off and takes some practice getting used to. Once mastered however, it ceases to be an issue, but its really a hurdle you shouldn't have to jump.
  So, finally, this is the adventure game we've been waiting for while tapping our feet wondering when the next Zelda will come out. With over 6 major game areas to cover, hundreds of items to find, tons of logbook slots to fill in, and a myriad of sidequests and mini-games to partake in; this is not the game to be missed! If you failed to get it when it was released for the PS2, get it now on the Wii! You won't regret it!
  
  
• Okami is a great game for the wii
  By A1BJMZ4MTDCJ46 on 2008-06-22
  So different from the thousands of RPG hunt-and-fight games with a beautiful hand-drawn art style. It gets a lot of play at my house along with Zelda and sports (tennis).
  
  
• Very engrossing game overall
  By A17TF131JH07UE on 2008-06-24
  - very good, imaginative game
  - actually got easier to play later in the game because of Ammy's new powers
  - dialogue too long but important to story
  - spent 50 hours to finish game and read the story w/o skipping
  - probably minimal replay value once you finish it
  
  
• Just Buy It!
  By A1AYYCXEMY84I7 on 2008-07-05
  Okami is one of the most unique, interesting, exciting, cultural, and revolutionary games to hit the shelves.
  
  Graphics- Wow. Japanese art really brings this game to life in 3D. The colors are bright and vivid. There are almost no glitches and the characters look great. Throughout the whole game you will never forget that you are in Japan.
  
  Gameplay- Hmm... where to start. It has the familiar and welcome formula as the Zelda games, but once again, the game turns it into something of it's own. You are in a huge Japanese world called Nippon and must restore the areas that are cursed by evil ( a bit like the Twilight Zones in Zeldas, except you can't go in them). This can be done by making Guardian Saplings bloom with your Celestial Brush. The brush is a powerful tool that freezes the game so you can draw stuff that help you fight enemies or do whatever you have to do. You have to play it to see what I'm talking about. With the brush you can do things such as turn day into night or the other way around, draw a bomb, create a stream, or make a gust of wind. The power of nature is in your hands! The Celestial brush has 13 handy techniques. They help you get through dungeons. The dungeons are nice because they aren't too long, yet aren't too short. In games like Zelda, the dungeons were way too long.
  
  Sound- Beautiful Japanese music plays in the background. When you speak to other creatures, there voice sounds like Animal Crossing voices.
  
  Plot- The plot is my favorite out of any game I've ever played. The story is based on a real Japanese legend, making it very interesting. There are many cutscenes that make you excited to go to the next area/dungeon. The plot can't be described in only a few sentences, so you can figure it out for your self. There's a cool twist at the end!
  
  To sum it up, Okami is an outstanding game that anyone shoud at least rent. it is very similar to Zelda, so if you love Zelda you'll also fall in love with Okami. It is a perfect blend of all elements that a game should have. Parents, ignore the teen rating and just buy it for your kids. It is very educational. There is a lot of alcohol reference, but the sake they drink is just pretend. Just Buy it!
  
  
• fantastic visuals and great use of the wiimote
  By A3BTPJA7ZQK50C on 2008-07-08
  a wonderful upgrade and port from the old ps version. i love the visuals. while the use of the wiimote for the celestial brush techniques is cool, it takes a lot of practice to get it right.
  
  
• I can't love it more
  By A2P8XN7CUGEGDP on 2008-07-14
  I have not been able to put this one down! The Wii was a perfect choice for the re-release of Okami. This game looks great and plays very well. The brush can be a bit temperamental at times but that has not been a huge thing for me.
  
  If you want fun then go for this one!
  
  
• Spectacular, fun, and original game.
  By A19F0HEJSXKNJA on 2008-08-02
  I'm about half-way through this game (missed it in it's original form on ps2 as I never had one) and I'd seriously have gladly paid more than $50 for the wonder, joy, and fun I've had so far in my 25 hours of play.
  
  This is a fantastic game with art, style, controls, ideas, and goals like nothing you've ever seen before. The artwork is incredible -- like a living, breathing Japanese watercolor scroll. The action is exciting and challenging, but at the same time "wholesome" and "family-friendly" as you restore nature to a bleak landscape while befriending and feeding wildlife. It may sound pansied-down, but it's really not -- they somehow make it simultaneously challenging, exciting, wholesome, and rewarding all at the same time. It's more "extreme" than any game I've played with "extreme" in its title!
  
  I claim that this combination has never been achieved in any game without "Mario" in the title ever in the history of video games. I may be wrong and forgetting one or two, but there can't be many that are this awesome, and certainly no others have this incredible -- almost museum-quality -- artwork.
  
  If you have a wii (or even a ps2) buy this game no matter what the age or interests of the potential players. Everyone can play, and will love, Okami.
  
  
  

• Super Smash Bros. Brawl
• No More Heroes
• Mario Kart Wii with Wii Wheel
• The World Ends With You
• Boom Blox