My experience with Okami is a somewhat odd story. Of course, I was aware of the title’s existence when Capcom was readying the game for the PlayStation 2. I knew it played like Zelda, and I knew that it had a unique art style. That was pretty much it, though. For one reason or another, I just wasn’t keeping much of an eye on it.
Fast forward about a year later, and we heard that Ready at Dawn was porting the game to Wii. I started to become a bit more interested in the title due to the the fan excitement surrounding the controls, but I still wasn’t completely sold. Following the game’s release on Wii, I decided I might as well take the plunge. After all, it would be just like Zelda, right?
And boy, was I floored. Immediately I was captured by the game’s incredible graphics and story. I felt that the characters were fascinating, the musical pieces were melodious, and the gameplay was indeed similar to Zelda, which I absolutely love. Sure, the two franchises aren’t exactly the same, but there are a number of gameplay similarities. I remember being quite disappointed when I finished Okami – I thought there’d be no possible way we would ever see a sequel. After all, Clover was gone, and the sales for both the PS2 and Wii versions were underwhelming.
Well, I was in for a shock once more when Famitsu finally unveiled Okamiden last year. My jaw almost hit the floor when I saw the first screenshots of the DS title – it looked remarkably comparable to Okami on the PS2/Wii. It feels odd that the title is already out in Japan – I almost can’t believe it’s real. Unfortunately, fans in North America and Europe will be forced to wait until March 2011 to get their hands on the game. It’s going to be long wait, but hopefully our interview we recently conducted with Capcom Product Marketing Manager Eric Monacelli will hold you over until then!
Note: Interview questions were submitted prior to Okamiden’s release date announcement.
Nintendo Everything: How exactly does Okamiden pick up from Okami? After all, the last we heard about Amaterasu, she moved back to the heavens. How does Chibiterasu come about?
Eric Monacelli: Okamiden takes place nine months after the events of Okami. Darkness has once again taken hold of the land and leeched the world of its color. Chibiterasu’s mission, with the help of some friends met along the way, is to restore nature’s beauty to the world. Early in the game Issun makes an appearance and calls out to the heavens during which Chibiterasu appears…why does this happen? Well, once you get a hold of the game you’ll find out.
NE: Since the original Okami developers have been disbanded, how did the previous team affect the current team’s approach and their development style?
EM: The team making Okamiden are all huge fans and avid disciplines of the game mechanics and play of Okami. Making the leap to the Nintendo DS was a natural and intuitive fit for the brush technique gameplay and the team has really capitalized on this gameplay by using the features of the DS platform. Great efforts were made to push the Nintendo DS to its maximum operating capabilities to achieve the Sumi-e art style graphics and the brush technique gameplay. I have to say, after playing through the game, the team really nailed it.
NE: To follow up, did Capcom have any contact at all with Platinum Games regarding this project?
EM: I’m not aware of any contact with Platinum Games for this project.
NE: Looking at the graphical style of the game, it seems like Okamiden will have a remarkably immersive atmosphere. What factors influenced this particular style?
EM: The Sumi-e art style that Okami had was a major influence for the graphics of Okamiden. The team went to great strides to make sure Okamiden had the distinct feel and beauty of a tale set in the Okami world. Minor tweaks had to be made due to the Nintendo DS processing capabilities but the look and feel of Okamiden oozes the same stylized watercolor calligraphy graphics magnificence that Okami has.
NE: There seems to be a bit of confusion as to whether Okamiden is a sequel, prequel, re-imagining, or side story to the universe of Okami.
Could you clear this up for us?
EM: Okamiden is a spiritual successor to Okami set in the world of Okami. It’s definitely a tale in the world of Okami.
NE: If there was one thing you wanted those who played the original title to know about Okamiden, what would it be? What should newcomers to the series expect?
EM: The core gameplay, aspects of the world, and some of the faces of Okamiden will seem somewhat familiar to people who played Okami, which is something that firmly roots Okamiden in the Okami world and aligns memories with all those great gaming moments players had there. The natural feel of the DS stylus and the inclusion of partners for Chibiterasu add depth to Okamiden that gives a fresh feel and plays into the story told in Okamiden brilliantly. Newcomers should expect an epic experience unlike any other available for portable consoles. The world of Okami is truly a magical place and the tales that are spun out of this world are uniquely fun adventures.
NE: What do you like the most about having this game on DS? What aspects of the hardware have most significantly enhanced the gameplay?
EM: Without a doubt using the touch screen and the stylus has to be my favorite thing about having Okamiden and its brush gameplay on the Nintendo DS. The DS stylus is your brush and the touch screen is your canvas. It’s intuitive, responsive and a thing of beauty.
NE: Okami is well-known for its expansive landscapes, such as Shinshu Field. Are the areas in Okamiden similar in size? Or have they been modified to fit within the confines of the DS hardware?
EM: Okamiden is an epic adventure that spans over 20 hours. Certain areas have been modified to fit with the confines of DS hardware architecture but nothing in a way that really limits the scope of the game area. It’s a game with some very expansive landscapes.
NE: Is the music in Okamiden similar to the first title?
EM: In my opinion, the music of Okamiden matches the sound and feel of the music of Okami to a tee. Even though the size of the DS carts is limited the music of Okamiden captures the spirit and sonic quality of the Okami music very accurately.
NE: Some fans believe that the 3DS could overshadow Okamiden. Are you planning to release the game before this new system arrives overseas?
EM: Okamiden will be available March 15th 2011 in the US and March 18th 2011 in the EU. There’s no confirmation on when the 3DS will launch in the Pan-Western region.
NE: What do you personally envision in the future for this series if this game is critically and commercially successful?
EM: O man, that’s a tasty, loaded question. I love the world of Okami and especially the art style. I’m huge fan of the fact Okamiden and Okami and its stories are the kind of tales that aim to be morally or spiritually uplifting as well as straight up fun and adventurous. Myths and fables are wonderfully powerful things and Okamiden’s steeped in these notions. I’d love to see an Okami myths book and similar spin off products. Also, the obvious continuation of the Okami franchise on HD consoles like the PS3 via the Move or on the Nintendo 3DS would be fantastic. Okamiden is a perfect treat for the DS or 3DS player alike and hopefully everyone will pick it up and enjoy it.
Nintendo Everything is greatly appreciative of those involved with the interview – Eric for answering the questions, Brigit for setting up the interview, and you guys for reading and contributing a few questions!
