After years of waiting, it's finally official: Capcom has released a Sequel to Okami announced. Directed by Hideki Kamiya and developed by the newly founded Clovers, "Okami 2" will be created on the RE Engine. The news has caused quite a stir, as it continues the story of the first part and sees the return of beloved protagonist Amaterasu.
A direct sequel - Okamiden remains untouched
In a Interview with IGN producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi confirmed that "Okami 2" directly follows on from the events of the original. While fans speculated whether the Nintendo DS spin-off "Okamiden" would also play a role, Capcom seems to have largely excluded it. "Of course we know that there are fans out there who like the game. And we also know the feedback. Nevertheless, our sequel remains true to the origins of Okami", explained Hirabayashi.
Although there are no direct confirmations, the possibility remains that characters or events from "Okamiden" will at least be mentioned. However, the focus is clearly on Amaterasu and her further journey.
A long road to publication
Anyone looking forward to gameplay impressions soon will have to be patient. According to Hirabayashi, "Okami 2" is in a "very, very" early development phase. His statement "It might be a while before we talk to each other again" suggests that it could be years before fans can expect the first tangible details.
In addition to confirming the development, there are also technical insights. "Okami 2" is being developed on Capcom's proven RE Engine, which has already impressed in titles such as "Resident Evil Village" and "Devil May Cry 5". Producer Hirabayashi explained: "We believe that without the RE Engine, we would not be able to realize Hideki Kamiya's artistic dreams for this project."
Director Kamiya himself also praised the technology: "The RE Engine is known for showing the best of its games. Very, very expressive. So we think people are now expecting and waiting for the quality of the engine in this game as well."
Machine Head Works as a bridge between Clovers and Capcom
It was also revealed that Machine Head Works is playing a key role in the development of "Okami 2". The studio is working closely with Capcom and Clovers to act as an intermediary between the two teams. According to producer Kiyohiko Sakata, Machine Head Works already has experience with Capcom projects and the RE Engine, which makes the development process easier.
Sakata explained further: "With today's technology, we can achieve everything we wanted to achieve with the original game, and maybe even more."
The confirmation of "Okami 2" marks the beginning of a long wait for fans. The sequel will not only continue the story of the original, but also put Amaterasu back in the spotlight. The choice of the RE Engine and the involvement of Hideki Kamiya give hope for a technically and artistically impressive experience.
But until then, the big question remains: how long do we have to wait? Capcom is keeping a low profile, but one thing is clear: "Okami 2" has the potential to be a masterpiece. We can only hope that it will be worth the long wait.
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