Okami Delivers Fresh Gaming Experience

By Matt Eifler



Though “Okami” was originally a Playstation 2 release, everything about it screams Nintendo. This remade version for the Wii combines the originality of the Pikmin series with the cell-shaded look and game play feel of “Legend of Zelda: Windwaker.” It does a fantastic job.


The story, though a bit verbose in spots, places you in control of Amaterasu, a mythological god taking the physical form of a wolf. The journey is set across several villages and fields that have fallen under a curse of darkness, destroying plant life and has frozen the villagers into statue forms. Restore light to the affected areas and life will thrive once again along the sprawling hillsides. To bring color back to the world, you’re equipped with a “Celestial Brush” with magical powers. The control of the brush is done with the Wii Remote, and may be the most creative use of the controller to date. When using the brush the action on the screen is frozen, allowing you to wave the remote to control the brushstrokes and paint your way out of a situation. There are 13 brush techniques to learn to aid in restoring beauty and also as defensive strategies. For example, the “Bloom” technique has you make a circular brush stroke around a withered tree to cause it to sprout leaves and produce fruit. While the “Power Slash” is a simple straight line that will be a primary attack on enemies and gain you entry through locked passages by cutting the gates in two.  Balancing the different techniques in battle situations is essential, as you can run out of ink for your brush. So knowing how each stroke’s power affects different enemies should come quickly.


The game borrows from Zelda in the Dungeon approach to level design, locking doors behind you and solving puzzles to get to the next passageway. You’ll also get to know the villagers and be asked to do various errands or favors for them. With each completed task, you’ll be rewarded with “Praise Orbs.” These are in turn used to upgrade your inkwell, increase your health meter and carry a larger bag for your Rupees, oops I mean Yen. There’s a bit of item collection involved like finding various seeds to feed the animals. This deed also earns praise orbs.


What really sets “Okami” apart from being just another quirky title is how amazing the art is. It’s filled with so much color, from lush foliage and flowers. When the wolf runs, flowers shoot up beneath its feet. When you jump, a bluster of leaves appear from nowhere and gently fall to the earth. The game is simply beautiful and just as fun to watch as it is to play. If you’re looking for a break from the over the top violence flooding the game world, trade your gun for a paintbrush for a while. You might be surprised with this creative game.


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Contact Matt at eifler@graffitiwv.com