It'd be nice that while working on this port, they remembered all the criticism they got for making the game too easy, and included a hard mode. That would seal the deal for me.
You'd think being a die in the wool Nintendo supporter and general fan of such games as Viewtiful Joe and God Hand that I'd like this game and care about it coming to the Wii.
You'd think that, and you'd be wrong.
Okami is overrated, too long, and not really all that fun. It got buried on the PS2 and will probably get buried again on the Wii. TP is just a much better game. No amount of waggle, crisper graphics, or shorter loads will make this game any better.
Thats funny, because my impressions of the two games are pretty much flipped from what you've described. Well, cept for the fun part, since both games were pretty entertaining to me aside from their intros which were both painfully long...
And I thought we could share Christmas cards one day, Xenogears
You'd think being a die in the wool Nintendo supporter and general fan of such games as Viewtiful Joe and God Hand that I'd like this game and care about it coming to the Wii.
You'd think that, and you'd be wrong.
Okami is overrated, too long, and not really all that fun. It got buried on the PS2 and will probably get buried again on the Wii. TP is just a much better game. No amount of waggle, crisper graphics, or shorter loads will make this game any better.
Thats funny, because my impressions of the two games are pretty much flipped from what you've described. Well, cept for the fun part, since both games were pretty entertaining to me aside from their intros which were both painfully long...
And I thought we could share Christmas cards one day, Xenogears
Aww, we'll make it work out somehow.
I don't know exactly what it is about Okami, but it is pretty much my least favorite major Capcom title, and definately the worst Clover title. It just rubbed me the wrong way.
The texture filter is still in, guys, as someone who works on the game confirmed in the Neogaf thread. I think the only thing still missing is the outlining effect, but they're working on it, or so I heard. Basically, IGN previewed an outdated version of the game.
Thanks Xagarath, that restores this port from "Fuck off you stupid bastards" to "I've been wanting to play it anyway, so why not?" levels of interest. Assuming this NeoGaf guy is actually one of the developers and not just some NeoGaf guy, that is.
I looked at that video posted on the preview. They say that its quick and easy to draw stuff, but it takes several tries just to draw something, and when he was drawing the bombs, they didn't even appear in a good place. Plus the drawings looked sloppy as fuck.
Dunno, I played the PS2 version, and it is prolly slower with the sticks, but it seems much more precise and accurate. When I drew something, it recognized it.
I just couldn't get into Okami. Not because of any gameplay mechanics or control issues or anything. I just couldn't play the game with out getting kind of a headache due to how everything is slightly blurry and so heavily shaded.
If they fix this in the Wii version I'd totally pick it up but from the screenshots it sure doesn't look like it.
I wonder if they can make the combat seem a little less pointless. The platforming portion of the game was great, but the combat just felt like a huge waste of time.
I'm in the camp that thought Okami was pretty bad.
The gameplay has its share of tepidity, as most have noted, but one thing that really stood out to me was the grating tone. The game is full of Clover's signature humor, which is normally a good thing (See: God Hand, Viewtiful Joe), but it just didn't seem appropriate in this game, at all. The setting really seemed like a waste considering the throwaway story, too.
I'm still surprised at how polarizing this game is. I personally loved it, and I often entertain (but, probably due to nostalgia and latent fanboyism, can't quite seem to commit to) the idea of calling it the best wolf-based game of 2006 (the other game in the category was Twilight Princess).
I found the gameplay itself to be flat out superb. The simple act of running around was enjoyable, combat was fun if easy, the environments were varied and gorgeous, and the setting and characters were interesting. Most of all though, I thought Okami had a very intangible quality that few games manage to pull off, in that it was fun to play. For this, I forgive it any faults previously pointed out. I'll probably buy it on the Wii as another excuse to play it again.
I loved Okami, but I won't be buying it again without more incentive. I had zero problems drawing with the analog stick, and I wonder about the lack of a right analog stick for camera movement...well, the PS2 one might actually be the version to get anyways.
I just couldn't get into Okami. Not because of any gameplay mechanics or control issues or anything. I just couldn't play the game with out getting kind of a headache due to how everything is slightly blurry and so heavily shaded.
If they fix this in the Wii version I'd totally pick it up but from the screenshots it sure doesn't look like it.
I had the same problem with it, if I played for more than 20 minutes or so blinding headaches and sore eyes never had that problem or any kind of motion sickness/anything else with any other game.
You what ticks me off? This "waggle" hate. (Not much on this thread I know :P)What did people expect from a console with a motion sensing controller? Also, does it tire them that much? Do their arms fall off? Are they so damn addicted do pressing a button, that flicking their wrist sucks every enjoyment out of the game. It's flabbergasting.
Not to mention that it could at least take a little away from the button mashing that were Okami battles, since here you have to flick in opposite directions (left, right, left, right)
I just couldn't get into Okami. Not because of any gameplay mechanics or control issues or anything. I just couldn't play the game with out getting kind of a headache due to how everything is slightly blurry and so heavily shaded.
If they fix this in the Wii version I'd totally pick it up but from the screenshots it sure doesn't look like it.
I had the same problem with it, if I played for more than 20 minutes or so blinding headaches and sore eyes never had that problem or any kind of motion sickness/anything else with any other game.
I was just the opposite... a lot of games give me motion sickness after about an hour of play, but Okami was one of the few that I could play for hours without any ill-effect.
You what ticks me off? This "waggle" hate. (Not much on this thread I know :P)What did people expect from a console with a motion sensing controller? Also, does it tire them that much? Do their arms fall off? Are they so damn addicted do pressing a button, that flicking their wrist sucks every enjoyment out of the game. It's flabbergasting.
Not to mention that it could at least take a little away from the button mashing that were Okami battles, since here you have to flick in opposite directions (left, right, left, right)
Because certain games are worse for it. The "waggle" controls in Zelda got annoying after the first hour or so (aside from the aiming with the bow/hookshot), and the same goes for Mario Galaxy. I truly believe that both games would be better with the Gamecube or Classic controller.
That said, I won't be picking up Okami for the Wii, but I already own it on the PS2, and it's easily in my top 10 list. Everything about the game was quality, from the graphical style, to the gameplay and combat, and even the music (one of the few games I bought a soundtrack for). :^: to Okami.
I'm still surprised at how polarizing this game is. I personally loved it, and I often entertain (but, probably due to nostalgia and latent fanboyism, can't quite seem to commit to) the idea of calling it the best wolf-based game of 2006 (the other game in the category was Twilight Princess).
I found the gameplay itself to be flat out superb. The simple act of running around was enjoyable, combat was fun if easy, the environments were varied and gorgeous, and the setting and characters were interesting. Most of all though, I thought Okami had a very intangible quality that few games manage to pull off, in that it was fun to play. For this, I forgive it any faults previously pointed out. I'll probably buy it on the Wii as another excuse to play it again.
Also, the game featured a "bark" button. Come on.
Seems to be the nature of all of Clover's games, doesn't it? I know a few folks who disliked Viewtiful Joe (bastards), the two or three other people I know who played God Hand absolutely hated it (jerks), and... well, i'm the only guy I know who played Okami, but there's folks who hate it as well. C'mon two-thirds-fanatics of Clover, can't all you bastards, jerks and... Okami disliking people get along?
I just couldn't get into Okami. Not because of any gameplay mechanics or control issues or anything. I just couldn't play the game with out getting kind of a headache due to how everything is slightly blurry and so heavily shaded.
If they fix this in the Wii version I'd totally pick it up but from the screenshots it sure doesn't look like it.
I had the same problem with it, if I played for more than 20 minutes or so blinding headaches and sore eyes never had that problem or any kind of motion sickness/anything else with any other game.
I was just the opposite... a lot of games give me motion sickness after about an hour of play, but Okami was one of the few that I could play for hours without any ill-effect.
You what ticks me off? This "waggle" hate. (Not much on this thread I know :P)What did people expect from a console with a motion sensing controller? Also, does it tire them that much? Do their arms fall off? Are they so damn addicted do pressing a button, that flicking their wrist sucks every enjoyment out of the game. It's flabbergasting.
Not to mention that it could at least take a little away from the button mashing that were Okami battles, since here you have to flick in opposite directions (left, right, left, right)
Because certain games are worse for it. The "waggle" controls in Zelda got annoying after the first hour or so (aside from the aiming with the bow/hookshot), and the same goes for Mario Galaxy. I truly believe that both games would be better with the Gamecube or Classic controller.
That said, I won't be picking up Okami for the Wii, but I already own it on the PS2, and it's easily in my top 10 list. Everything about the game was quality, from the graphical style, to the gameplay and combat, and even the music (one of the few games I bought a soundtrack for). :^: to Okami.
This is why I picked up TP for the GameCube, because I didn't like the controls for it much on the Wii. I guess I've been used to the "normal" type controller for Zelda games since Z64 (for 3D environment). Sounds to me that we might have a common taste in controls, which I'm starting to think about scouting out a copy of Okami for the PS2.
What? There was nothing wrong with the Galaxy controls. At all.
I can't speak for Zelda, since I had the Gamecube version. (Couldn't wait to play the game until I got my hands on a Wii.)
And how lazy do you have to be for waggling a remote to make you fatigued. Jeez, I'm a big fat whale of a man and I've never once thought, "Oh man I've got to put this remote down I'm going to freaking die over here!"
Htown on
0
ShadowfireVermont, in the middle of nowhereRegistered Userregular
What? There was nothing wrong with the Galaxy controls. At all.
I can't speak for Zelda, since I had the Gamecube version. (Couldn't wait to play the game until I got my hands on a Wii.)
And how lazy do you have to be for waggling a remote to make you fatigued. Jeez, I'm a big fat whale of a man and I've never once thought, "Oh man I've got to put this remote down I'm going to freaking die over here!"
I never said "lazy," I said "annoying." Flicking my wrist back and forth for hours on end isn't fun if there's no women/porn around.
I really loved Okami. I loved it so much I found all of the Prayer Beads, and got the ridiculously unnecessary invincibility + super strength mode. It was beautiful and fun as hell.
But I really played the hell out of. I'd say I 100%'d it, and replayed it once. So will I get this again for better graphics and debatably better controls?
You bet your ass.
Graviija on
0
GreasyKidsStuffMOMMM!ROAST BEEF WANTS TO KISS GIRLS ON THE TITTIES!Registered Userregular
edited February 2008
I... oh man...
I don't know what to do anymore. I was meaning to check this out since I never played it and now I have a chance with the Wii.
But the opinions are so DIVERSE.
AAAAGGH
In all seriousness though, I will probably get it, just to see how it is. If I don't like it, well... return it I guess :P
...and the same goes for Mario Galaxy. I truly believe that both games would be better with the Gamecube or Classic controller.i.
How you would you pick and chuck star bits without Wiimote? By using dual analog? Yeah right... And removomg starbits would certainly change game's atmosphere negatively.
Okami is overrated, too long, and not really all that fun. It got buried on the PS2 and will probably get buried again on the Wii. TP is just a much better game. No amount of waggle, crisper graphics, or shorter loads will make this game any better.
I didn't really like Okami at all for three reasons;
1) Artstyle made me sick. Literally. After playing videogames for more than 20 years, there has been only three games that have actually caused motion sickness for me; Katamari Damacy, Okami and Geist.
2) Longwindedness. Seriously, too much fucking pointless text. Way too much. I'm usually last to complain about dialog, but there was too much it in Okami. And most of it was worthless.
3) Celestial brush and its implementation. Sure, celestial brush was a cool idea, and it really worked in puzzle solving. But in combat it was so slow and tedious to use. Start brush, watch 1.5 sec animation, draw line carefully, start brush again, watch 1.5 sec animation, draw line carefully, and so on.
I don't know what to do anymore. I was meaning to check this out since I never played it and now I have a chance with the Wii.
But the opinions are so DIVERSE.
AAAAGGH
In all seriousness though, I will probably get it, just to see how it is. If I don't like it, well... return it I guess :P
If you enjoy Zelda at all, get it. The only true downsides are the easiness and the length really starts to drag around hour 40 or so. Other than that, it's a solid fucking game and deserves to be played by everybody.
I admit I never gave the PS2 much of a chance. I only played about an hour of it and I got absolutely bored with it. With this I might give it another shot because the Wii controls seems perfect for it especially for the painting parts.
3) Celestial brush and its implementation. Sure, celestial brush was a cool idea, and it really worked in puzzle solving. But in combat it was so slow and tedious to use. Start brush, watch 1.5 sec animation, draw line carefully, start brush again, watch 1.5 sec animation, draw line carefully, and so on.
Well then, good news! You now draw with a pointer!
O_o
3) Celestial brush and its implementation. Sure, celestial brush was a cool idea, and it really worked in puzzle solving. But in combat it was so slow and tedious to use. Start brush, watch 1.5 sec animation, draw line carefully, start brush again, watch 1.5 sec animation, draw line carefully, and so on.
Well then, good news! You now draw with a pointer!
O_o
And Text skipping is unlocked from the start. No need to beat the game first!
To my dying day, I will never understand the "Zelda/Mario would be better with a regular controller" people. I will admit that a lot of Wii games use terrible control schemes, but those two did a wonderful job. It wasn't wagglefest, and the most you had to do in Mario was a quick shake. Left right. What a nuisance.
I don't really get all the waggle bitching. I recently tried to re-play Wind Waker and it just wasn't very fun after TP. I find very quickly with waggle controls that I get a feel for exactly what motion is required, and they're not much less precise than a button then, and a lot more physical and fun.
I am looking forward to this port regardless, even expecting an over-texty Zelda that will be a delightful until the end, when it will feel hollow because there was no challenge.
I recently re-played Twilight Princess, and the whole lack of challenge thing did not matter so much. It is just an incredibly, tight, smooth, beautiful and fun game. It's a joy to play - something I didn't appreciate my first time through.
I fucking loved Okami. It is probably my favorite game of all time. The fact that it was retard easy does nothing to diminish how awesome I felt everything else was.
WARNING: the following post contains gratuitous gushing about the game Okami :WARNING
I don't own a Wii, don't want a Wii, it just doesn't interest me.
But I have to throw my hat into the 'Okami rules' ring. It's gotta' be considered one of the best action/adventure games since Link To The Past (imo the King of all Zeldas). I can understand how some rare people might be wierded by the style, and I can certainly understand impatience with the copious amount of text the game throws at you, but those complaints are a) rare and b) easily overlooked.
What's Okami got that's awesome and unique? Plenty.
-Wolf- You play as a white wolf. Oh, and you're the God of the Sun.
-Sidekick- Hey, Listen! I'm sorry Navi, but Issun is just better. He's awesome, we love him, and there has never been a bouncing, glowing bug so many young men were able to relate to so easily.
-Wood Blocks- The art direction and presentation are really incomparable to anything else. I'm not saying there aren't other games out there with exceptional art direction, but Okami is in a league of its own, visually. It gets all the big things right, and the little touches are simply boggling... Or perhaps there's another game where the touch of your feet causes flowers to spring up as you travel across the land...
-The Brush- No one's tried anything like this particular mechanic. There have been games where you can affect your surroundings, certainly, and sometimes it could have been easier served in classic Link style - say, throwing a Bomb where you need it instead of drawing it. But it just works so well. The slashes for combat, the blowing wind, the rain, the healing of trees, the ability to turn day into night! the Celestial Brush!
-Posivity- Video games can very often be regarded as a meditation on the subject matter. More often than not, you plunk yourself down and meditate on violence or evil or darkness for a few hours before flipping it off. Okami turns this tradition on its head. It is unabashedly optimistic, and it's amazingly refreshing to plunk myself down and 'meditate' on bringing life and happiness to the world.
What's Okami got that we expect - nay - require of our adventure games?
-Story- Epic. Huge. The creators of Okami took a bunch of old Japanese folk tales and myths and wound them into and around the story of Okami. The legend of Orochi and Susano-O is merely the base for a huge, sweeping story that takes you through...
-A Huge World- across fields, through forests and valleys, to the tops of windy towers, to the bottom of the ocean, to the icy crown of the world. You have a massive world to explore, and everything is gorgeous, or gorgeously dead and waiting for you to breathe beautiful life back into it with your divine powers.
-Characters- Games like this need people we want to help. I'm not about to list every endearing person you'll meet, but if you play through at least the first area and don't want or even need to make sure Mr. Orange succeeds in his Konohana Shuffle, I have to suggest you get off the internet and proceed immediately to a local hospital, for you are dead inside.
-Music- Never a component to be underestimated, Okami's soundtrack is as gorgeous as the visuals. At times elegant, intense, and even funny, the music never disappoints.
-Animation- From the grace of the white wolf haulin' ass across the countryside, to little touches like a weary yawn before resting her head, it's clear someone spent a long, long time making sure Amaterasu moves with canine credibility.
-Control- If a game doesn't control well, we don't like it. We can't forgive shitty controls, period. Fortunately, Okami (for PS2) controls perfectly. Not once did I ever have a complaint about camera or responsiveness. The platforming and combat and brushwork all come together perfectly, which may in fact be the reason for one of the complaints...
Why's it suck?
-Easy- The puzzles you'll need a walkthrough for are few and far between, and for the most part combat is a walk in the park. Keep your gear and abilities up-to-date and you'll show the demons of Nippon who's a God and who's about to explode into a shower of flower petals! Give me your Fangs, scum! ...though I must admit, the last Wall-Man puzzle nailed me so hard I ended up actually drawing on my TV with magic marker so I could get the locations right. Edit: upon an additional playthrough, yes the combat is usually quite easy. But it's always gorgeous and very stylish.
-Text- Can't read? Don't buy Okami. There's a lot to do, and a lot of people to tell you what (and why, and how, and when) to do. (And their own personal history, complete with credit report). But, if the first half-hour doesn't have you walking away in disgust at the walls of text, you'll find it never gets that bad again.
Ahhh, that feels better. Okami fanboy #1807 signing off.
*Edit: after writing this post last night, I took out Bully and popped Okami into my PS2 today. I promptly realized I forgot to mention the excellent animation and music.
**Edit: after finishing the replay, added -positivity- and the note at the base of -easy-.
Chance on
'Chance, you are the best kind of whore.' -Henroid
Waggle is good when it's good. Which usually means when it's on the remote rather than the nunchuck. 99% of waggle control on TP was awesome but shield bashing and other 'chuck moves didn't always register as you wanted and that was at times frustrating. Sounds like the same may be the case in Okami but again it seems they've assigned it to a move that doesn't really matter that much anyway so impact is minimal.
When I get chance I'll try to put all the info I can for Okami in the OP. I just wish I've played it already so I have more to talk about... other than "so I still am looking around for a copy".
Especially the part where he drew on his t.v. to beat the last wall guy.
That was one of the few things in video games I have ever encountered where the impediment was not, as I saw it, simple lack of skill, but humanity itself.
Posts
Thats funny, because my impressions of the two games are pretty much flipped from what you've described. Well, cept for the fun part, since both games were pretty entertaining to me aside from their intros which were both painfully long...
And I thought we could share Christmas cards one day, Xenogears
Aww, we'll make it work out somehow.
I don't know exactly what it is about Okami, but it is pretty much my least favorite major Capcom title, and definately the worst Clover title. It just rubbed me the wrong way.
Then I am content.
Dunno, I played the PS2 version, and it is prolly slower with the sticks, but it seems much more precise and accurate. When I drew something, it recognized it.
Lol, I like the sun. Bottom of the page.
http://www.the-magicbox.com/0802/game080218a.shtml
"What a beautiful..........................sun?"
PSN: super_emu
Xbox360 Gamertag: Emuchop
If they fix this in the Wii version I'd totally pick it up but from the screenshots it sure doesn't look like it.
I never asked for this!
The gameplay has its share of tepidity, as most have noted, but one thing that really stood out to me was the grating tone. The game is full of Clover's signature humor, which is normally a good thing (See: God Hand, Viewtiful Joe), but it just didn't seem appropriate in this game, at all. The setting really seemed like a waste considering the throwaway story, too.
I found the gameplay itself to be flat out superb. The simple act of running around was enjoyable, combat was fun if easy, the environments were varied and gorgeous, and the setting and characters were interesting. Most of all though, I thought Okami had a very intangible quality that few games manage to pull off, in that it was fun to play. For this, I forgive it any faults previously pointed out. I'll probably buy it on the Wii as another excuse to play it again.
Also, the game featured a "bark" button. Come on.
Not to mention that it could at least take a little away from the button mashing that were Okami battles, since here you have to flick in opposite directions (left, right, left, right)
Pokémon HGSS: 1205 1613 4041
I was just the opposite... a lot of games give me motion sickness after about an hour of play, but Okami was one of the few that I could play for hours without any ill-effect.
Because certain games are worse for it. The "waggle" controls in Zelda got annoying after the first hour or so (aside from the aiming with the bow/hookshot), and the same goes for Mario Galaxy. I truly believe that both games would be better with the Gamecube or Classic controller.
That said, I won't be picking up Okami for the Wii, but I already own it on the PS2, and it's easily in my top 10 list. Everything about the game was quality, from the graphical style, to the gameplay and combat, and even the music (one of the few games I bought a soundtrack for). :^: to Okami.
Seems to be the nature of all of Clover's games, doesn't it? I know a few folks who disliked Viewtiful Joe (bastards), the two or three other people I know who played God Hand absolutely hated it (jerks), and... well, i'm the only guy I know who played Okami, but there's folks who hate it as well. C'mon two-thirds-fanatics of Clover, can't all you bastards, jerks and... Okami disliking people get along?
This is why I picked up TP for the GameCube, because I didn't like the controls for it much on the Wii. I guess I've been used to the "normal" type controller for Zelda games since Z64 (for 3D environment). Sounds to me that we might have a common taste in controls, which I'm starting to think about scouting out a copy of Okami for the PS2.
I can't speak for Zelda, since I had the Gamecube version. (Couldn't wait to play the game until I got my hands on a Wii.)
And how lazy do you have to be for waggling a remote to make you fatigued. Jeez, I'm a big fat whale of a man and I've never once thought, "Oh man I've got to put this remote down I'm going to freaking die over here!"
I never said "lazy," I said "annoying." Flicking my wrist back and forth for hours on end isn't fun if there's no women/porn around.
But I really played the hell out of. I'd say I 100%'d it, and replayed it once. So will I get this again for better graphics and debatably better controls?
You bet your ass.
I don't know what to do anymore. I was meaning to check this out since I never played it and now I have a chance with the Wii.
But the opinions are so DIVERSE.
AAAAGGH
In all seriousness though, I will probably get it, just to see how it is. If I don't like it, well... return it I guess :P
How you would you pick and chuck star bits without Wiimote? By using dual analog? Yeah right... And removomg starbits would certainly change game's atmosphere negatively.
I didn't really like Okami at all for three reasons;
1) Artstyle made me sick. Literally. After playing videogames for more than 20 years, there has been only three games that have actually caused motion sickness for me; Katamari Damacy, Okami and Geist.
2) Longwindedness. Seriously, too much fucking pointless text. Way too much. I'm usually last to complain about dialog, but there was too much it in Okami. And most of it was worthless.
3) Celestial brush and its implementation. Sure, celestial brush was a cool idea, and it really worked in puzzle solving. But in combat it was so slow and tedious to use. Start brush, watch 1.5 sec animation, draw line carefully, start brush again, watch 1.5 sec animation, draw line carefully, and so on.
If you enjoy Zelda at all, get it. The only true downsides are the easiness and the length really starts to drag around hour 40 or so. Other than that, it's a solid fucking game and deserves to be played by everybody.
O_o
And Text skipping is unlocked from the start. No need to beat the game first!
NNID: Glenn565
I am looking forward to this port regardless, even expecting an over-texty Zelda that will be a delightful until the end, when it will feel hollow because there was no challenge.
I recently re-played Twilight Princess, and the whole lack of challenge thing did not matter so much. It is just an incredibly, tight, smooth, beautiful and fun game. It's a joy to play - something I didn't appreciate my first time through.
LoL: failboattootoot
I don't own a Wii, don't want a Wii, it just doesn't interest me.
But I have to throw my hat into the 'Okami rules' ring. It's gotta' be considered one of the best action/adventure games since Link To The Past (imo the King of all Zeldas). I can understand how some rare people might be wierded by the style, and I can certainly understand impatience with the copious amount of text the game throws at you, but those complaints are a) rare and b) easily overlooked.
What's Okami got that's awesome and unique? Plenty.
-Wolf- You play as a white wolf. Oh, and you're the God of the Sun.
-Sidekick- Hey, Listen! I'm sorry Navi, but Issun is just better. He's awesome, we love him, and there has never been a bouncing, glowing bug so many young men were able to relate to so easily.
-Wood Blocks- The art direction and presentation are really incomparable to anything else. I'm not saying there aren't other games out there with exceptional art direction, but Okami is in a league of its own, visually. It gets all the big things right, and the little touches are simply boggling... Or perhaps there's another game where the touch of your feet causes flowers to spring up as you travel across the land...
-The Brush- No one's tried anything like this particular mechanic. There have been games where you can affect your surroundings, certainly, and sometimes it could have been easier served in classic Link style - say, throwing a Bomb where you need it instead of drawing it. But it just works so well. The slashes for combat, the blowing wind, the rain, the healing of trees, the ability to turn day into night!
-Posivity- Video games can very often be regarded as a meditation on the subject matter. More often than not, you plunk yourself down and meditate on violence or evil or darkness for a few hours before flipping it off. Okami turns this tradition on its head. It is unabashedly optimistic, and it's amazingly refreshing to plunk myself down and 'meditate' on bringing life and happiness to the world.
What's Okami got that we expect - nay - require of our adventure games?
-Story- Epic. Huge. The creators of Okami took a bunch of old Japanese folk tales and myths and wound them into and around the story of Okami. The legend of Orochi and Susano-O is merely the base for a huge, sweeping story that takes you through...
-A Huge World- across fields, through forests and valleys, to the tops of windy towers, to the bottom of the ocean, to the icy crown of the world. You have a massive world to explore, and everything is gorgeous, or gorgeously dead and waiting for you to breathe beautiful life back into it with your divine powers.
-Characters- Games like this need people we want to help. I'm not about to list every endearing person you'll meet, but if you play through at least the first area and don't want or even need to make sure Mr. Orange succeeds in his Konohana Shuffle, I have to suggest you get off the internet and proceed immediately to a local hospital, for you are dead inside.
-Music- Never a component to be underestimated, Okami's soundtrack is as gorgeous as the visuals. At times elegant, intense, and even funny, the music never disappoints.
-Animation- From the grace of the white wolf haulin' ass across the countryside, to little touches like a weary yawn before resting her head, it's clear someone spent a long, long time making sure Amaterasu moves with canine credibility.
-Control- If a game doesn't control well, we don't like it. We can't forgive shitty controls, period. Fortunately, Okami (for PS2) controls perfectly. Not once did I ever have a complaint about camera or responsiveness. The platforming and combat and brushwork all come together perfectly, which may in fact be the reason for one of the complaints...
Why's it suck?
-Easy- The puzzles you'll need a walkthrough for are few and far between, and for the most part combat is a walk in the park. Keep your gear and abilities up-to-date and you'll show the demons of Nippon who's a God and who's about to explode into a shower of flower petals! Give me your Fangs, scum! ...though I must admit, the last Wall-Man puzzle nailed me so hard I ended up actually drawing on my TV with magic marker so I could get the locations right. Edit: upon an additional playthrough, yes the combat is usually quite easy. But it's always gorgeous and very stylish.
-Text- Can't read? Don't buy Okami. There's a lot to do, and a lot of people to tell you what (and why, and how, and when) to do. (And their own personal history, complete with credit report). But, if the first half-hour doesn't have you walking away in disgust at the walls of text, you'll find it never gets that bad again.
Ahhh, that feels better. Okami fanboy #1807 signing off.
*Edit: after writing this post last night, I took out Bully and popped Okami into my PS2 today. I promptly realized I forgot to mention the excellent animation and music.
**Edit: after finishing the replay, added -positivity- and the note at the base of -easy-.
Especially the part where he drew on his t.v. to beat the last wall guy.
LoL: failboattootoot
Playing Wind Waker as I am now, I'm missing the ability to actually aim properly.