After Okami 2, Capcom Should Follow Through on Viewtiful Joe 3

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As a long-time fan of Capcom and its diverse roster of iconic games, I’ve been eagerly awaiting news of a revival for some of my favorite series that seemed to have been left behind. The recent announcement of an Okami sequel has rekindled hope in my heart, but it also brings forth a burning desire to see another dormant IP brought back from the brink – Viewtiful Joe!

It appears there’s a possibility that the much-anticipated third installment of the Viewtiful Joe series could become a reality. This speculation arises from Capcom’s recent announcement about reviving some of their less active intellectual properties, including Okami, and potentially others like Dino Crisis and Viewtiful Joe. These revelations were part of the surprising lineup unveiled at 2024’s The Game Awards.

It’s possible that Viewtiful Joe could have a high chance of returning, considering the creator Hideki Kamiya is also the director of both the original Okami and its upcoming sequel. Since Kamiya is working with Capcom on a new Okami game, it seems likely they might collaborate again, perhaps on a potential Viewtiful Joe 3. In fact, since the series ended abruptly after Viewtiful Joe 2, it suggests that a third installment could be coming soon. Given this, Capcom may want to capitalize on their success with the Okami sequel by potentially developing a new Viewtiful Joe game.

Okami 2 Has Perfect Timing for Capcom and Hideki Kamiya

Although Okami made a significant announcement at The Game Awards, it seemed uncertain that there would be a sequel. Hideki Kamiya, the creator of Okami, remained optimistic about producing an Okami sequel in the future, but Capcom showed no signs of sharing this enthusiasm. Given that the original Okami was not commercially successful and its spiritual successor, Okamiden, was developed by a different studio, it appears that Capcom may not have perceived a profitable future for what seemed like a niche series of games.

Due to the recent remastered version of Okami HD becoming available on contemporary gaming systems like PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC, the game has gained cult classic status. Moreover, after Atsushi Inaba (Kamiya) left Capcom to co-found PlatinumGames and work on series such as Bayonetta and The Wonderful 101, his departure in 2023 opened up an opportunity for him to return to Capcom. With Capcom showing increased interest in reviving older or dormant IPs, it appeared that the timing was perfect for Okami to get a sequel.

Hideki Kamiya’s Okami Sequel Offers Hope for Viewtiful Joe

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but feel excited that Hideki Kamiya is finally directing Okami 2 after such a long wait. Yet, it’s not just this beloved game that he yearns to revisit; another masterpiece from his days at Clover Studios under Capcom was Viewtiful Joe. Unlike Okami, the original Viewtiful Joe was successful enough to spawn a direct sequel, two spin-offs, and numerous cameos in other Capcom games. However, despite Kamiya’s ongoing enthusiasm for the series and several near misses with Capcom about a third installment, an official confirmation of Viewtiful Joe 3 has yet to be made.

Capcom Should At Least Complete the Viewtiful Joe Trilogy

There’s a strong desire among fans for Capcom to revive the series, specifically “Viewtiful Joe,” given that many consider it a spiritual successor to Hideki Kamiya’s “The Wonderful 101.” If given the opportunity, fans would be thrilled to see Kamiya direct a potential third and final installment of “Viewtiful Joe.” Although hints in “Viewtiful Joe 2” suggested a sequel was on the way, there has been no sign of “Viewtiful Joe 3,” leaving the series seemingly incomplete despite spin-offs like “Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble” and “Double Trouble!” As Capcom’s classic IP “Viewtiful Joe” is back with Kamiya on board, it would be great if they were to collaborate on a sequel other than just “Okami 2.

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2024-12-27 20:34