During our recent trip to Osaka, Japan, we had the privilege of engaging in an in-depth two-hour discussion with the creators of the eagerly anticipated sequel to Okami. We spoke with Clover Studio's director Hideki Kamiya, Capcom's producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi, and Machine Head Works' producer Kiyohiko Sakata about their vision for the new game, its origins, and what fans can look forward to.
The interview was a delightful experience, and we believe it will be just as enjoyable for you to watch or read. You can access the full interview here. For those interested in the key takeaways, we've summarized the most exciting points for Okami enthusiasts below:
The Okami sequel is being crafted with the RE Engine
A major revelation from our interview is that the Okami sequel is being developed using Capcom's advanced RE Engine. This choice is driven by the engine's ability to bring to life aspects of the original Okami that were previously unachievable with older technology. While many at Clover Studio are new to this engine, Capcom's partner, Machine Head Works, is stepping in to bridge this gap. For more in-depth information on this topic, check out our detailed article here.
Former PlatinumGames developers are contributing via Machine Head Works
Rumors have circulated about talent departing PlatinumGames, including individuals close to Hideki Kamiya and some who contributed to the original Okami. When we inquired about their involvement, Kamiya hinted at the participation of former Platinum and Capcom staff through Machine Head Works, though he remained coy about specifics. We'll eagerly await further details on who these mystery developers might be.
Capcom has been keen on an Okami sequel for some time
Despite the initial underwhelming sales of the first Okami game, Capcom has been paying attention to its growing popularity across various platforms. Yoshiaki Hirabayashi from Capcom shared that the company has been contemplating a sequel for a while, but it required the right team to come together. With Kamiya and Machine Head Works now on board, the project is finally moving forward. Dive deeper into this topic with our comprehensive article here.
This is indeed a direct sequel
With Capcom announcing an "Okami sequel" without a specific title, there was some uncertainty about what to expect. Our interview with Hirabayashi and Kamiya confirmed that this is a true sequel, directly continuing the story from where the original Okami concluded. We won't spoil the ending for those yet to experience the first game, but rest assured, there's ample room for more narrative development.
And yes, Amaterasu is back in the trailer
The beloved protagonist, Amaterasu, makes a triumphant return in the trailer, reaffirming her central role in the sequel.
Okamiden is acknowledged but not the focus
While Okamiden, the Nintendo DS follow-up to Okami, has its own fan base, Capcom is aware that it didn't meet everyone's expectations. Hirabayashi noted, "We know that there are fans out there that like the game, of course. And we also know the feedback on the game out there, of how the story was taken and now how perhaps parts of the story weren’t aligning with what people were expecting. With that, we also have the sequel now that, as we explained before, is a continuation from the story of the original base Ōkami. That's how we're going to phrase it."
Okami 2 Game Awards Teaser Screenshots
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Hideki Kamiya engages with fan feedback on social media
It's no surprise that Hideki Kamiya is active on social media and reads fan posts. In our interview, he mentioned that he looks at social media to gauge fan expectations for the sequel. However, he emphasized that their goal isn't to create exactly what fans request but to deliver a game that captures the fun and excitement fans anticipate. Kamiya stated, "Our work, of course, is not to create the game that people request of us, to create the exact copy of what people want from us. But we are working hard to achieve a game that achieves the fun that people are expecting of this Ōkami sequel. I have an idea of what I want to create. And I have no plans of throwing away the user's expectation of the games, but I always want to make the best game possible."
Rei Kondoh composed the song for the Okami sequel trailer at The Game Awards
Renowned video game composer Rei Kondoh, known for his work on titles like Bayonetta, Dragon's Dogma, and the original Okami, confirmed his contribution to the sequel by arranging the iconic "Rising Sun" theme for the trailer at The Game Awards. This suggests he may also be involved in creating the new soundtrack for the sequel.
The Okami sequel is in the early stages of development
The team behind the Okami sequel announced the project early out of excitement but urged fans to remain patient. Yoshiaki Hirabayashi emphasized, "Faster isn't always the best. We will not give up quality for speed, but do know that we will not drag our feet for this title. It's something that we will put our efforts into." Both Hirabayashi and Sakata suggested that it might be a while before we receive more updates, with Sakata adding, "It might be some time before we get to meet each other again. But do know that this project is made by staff who love this series, still love this IP, and they're working very, very hard to create it. And we're working our hardest to make something that aligns with everyone's expectations."
You can catch up on our full interview with the leads of the Ōkami sequel right here.
