The long-awaited sequel to the beloved adventure game, Ōkami, was announced at The Game Awards, sparking widespread excitement among fans. However, details about the game remain scarce. A recent IGN interview with the project leads shed some light on the upcoming title.
Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi confirmed the sequel is a direct continuation of the original Ōkami's storyline. When asked if the trailer's protagonist was indeed Amaterasu, director Hideki Kamiya offered a cryptic "I wonder...", but Hirabayashi swiftly confirmed it was.
While not surprising to fans, the sequel's existence raises questions about the Nintendo DS prequel, Ōkamiden, starring Amaterasu's child, Chibiterasu. Ōkamiden received mixed reviews, criticized for its DS platform and the absence of key original team members, including Kamiya.
Regarding Ōkamiden's acknowledgment in the new sequel, Hirabayashi stated: "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."
The original Ōkami's ending, however, naturally lends itself to a sequel. Amaterasu and another character embark on a new, unexplored journey, leaving ample room for new challenges and adventures.
Unfortunately, further details are currently unavailable. The team confirmed the sequel is in its very early stages of development, explaining the early announcement as a result of their excitement. According to Hirabayashi, significant time will likely pass before further updates are shared.
A full interview with the Ōkami sequel's leads is available for viewing.