Okami Sequel With Hideki Kamiya and a Revived Clover Studio is in Development

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Summary

  • Hidkei Kamiya is directing an Okami sequel with Capcom.
  • Kamiya is making the game with a revived Clover Studio.
  • The game will retain the cel-shaded art style and feature the Celestial Brush.

As a lifelong gamer who grew up with a controller in my hand and a dream of seeing some of my favorite games return, the news that Hideki Kamiya is directing an Okami sequel has left me absolutely thrilled! The original Okami was a masterpiece that I spent countless hours exploring its beautiful world, solving puzzles, and battling enemies with the Celestial Brush.

Capcom has unveiled plans for a new installment in the Okami series, with Hideki Kamiya taking on the role of director. The initial Okami is often hailed as one of the finest games ever produced for the PS2, and its subsequent adaptations for Wii and contemporary platforms have garnered significant acclaim too. However, since Clover Studio closed down nearly 20 years ago and no new game has been released since 2010’s Okamiden, many thought that the series was no more.

Following the closure of Clover Studio, a number of its team members, including Hideki Kamiya, established PlatinumGames. This studio has consistently been one of the most admired in the gaming industry, creating numerous cherished original series throughout the years, such as Bayonetta, The Wonderful 101, and others. However, in late 2023, the leader of PlatinumGames, Hideki Kamiya, made a surprising decision to leave the studio. What’s truly astounding is where he has ended up since then.

At The Game Awards 2024, Hideki Kamiya and a resurrected Clover Studio in collaboration with Capcom unveiled plans for an Okami sequel. Although the trailer was short and didn’t display any gameplay footage, it hinted at details about the forthcoming Okami sequel. It appears that the upcoming title, either named Okami 2 or something else entirely, will preserve the cel-shaded visual aesthetic of the original, reintroduce the white wolf Amaterasu as the lead character, and incorporate the Celestial Brush mechanic once more.

Okami Sequel Trailer

For those who haven’t played the Okami games, The Celestial Brush is a unique feature that allows players to draw on the screen to perform various tasks such as repairing damaged structures, moving objects, and battling enemies. This tool was instrumental in exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat within the original game, making it a key aspect of its gameplay. Given this, it’s not surprising that The Celestial Brush will make a comeback for the sequel. It is worth mentioning that the Wii version of Okami utilized motion controls for The Celestial Brush, but considering most versions of the game used analog stick controls, it’s possible the sequel will revert back to this control scheme.

The original Clover Studio made the Viewtiful Joe games, Okami, and God Hand.

Apart from its unique “Celestial Brush” feature, Okami bears a resemblance to Nintendo’s beloved Legend of Zelda series. When considering the potential direction for the Okami sequel, it seems plausible that it might follow suit with recent Zelda games like Breath of the Wild, adopting an open-world design. On the other hand, it could continue drawing inspiration from more traditional 3D Zelda games. A significant point to consider is whether it will address the criticism leveled at the original game for excessive dialogue. As we await further developments, the prospect of a new Okami game undeniably stirs excitement.

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2024-12-13 07:23