E-mail
Print
Okami paints life into Wii
More than just tugging your wiimote
By Michael Maniaci
The game is a sensual work of art not just visibly but audibly as well. The music within Okami is original and inspired off of traditional Japanese music.
This week saw the release of Okami on the Nintendo Wii. Having won numerous game of the year awards in 2006 on the Playstation 2, Capcom decided that a port to the Wii would be in their interests due to requests/demands made from fans of the game. Nintendo’s Wii hasn’t had too many third party games that have utilized the Wiimote well, but Okami is a rare game where the Wiimote enhances the gameplay as opposed to just being gimmicky.
Okami is set within early Japanese mythology, the player controls Amaterasu, a white wolf endowed with the Japanese goddess of the sun. The world is dying and decaying due to a demon being released from his bonds. It is up to Amaterasu to bring life and beauty back into the lands using her divine powers. Through doing so she earns Praise, allowing her to level up her powers and life.
While the story is refreshing and different from most adventure games as of late, the game shines for its unique use of controls and items. As Amaterasu, the player has the ability to use the Celestial Brush, a calligraphy brush that when used, freezes the gameplay allowing the player to draw upon the screen to make divine interventions. These interventions range from making the sun shine, to making trees grow, even to attacks on enemies.
There are 13 different brush styles that can be used in a number of different ways. The use of the Wiimote makes the process of interacting with the world more enjoyable and engaging. Performing miracles brings about a certain sense of egotistical-satisfaction that goes well with the nature of playing god within a game.
Combat is similar to other adventure games where moves can be upgraded and enhanced at dojos to provide a more full flavored experience. While traveling around the world, floating malevolent spirits can be engaged or avoided by simply not touching them.
When a battle has begun, Amaterasu fights within an enclosed spirit realm. A combination of regular attacks as well as attacks from the Celestial Brush can be linked together into combos.
Okami is tied together by its use of woodblock, watercolored cell-shaded art. Environments look unique and different throughout the game. Whenever an area of land is brought back to life, it explodes in a display of colors and plant life.
The game is a sensual work of art not just visibly but audibly as well. The music within Okami is original and inspired off of traditional Japanese music. Making the environments have a unique and authentic feel to them.
Okami is one of those rare titles where it is unique and different from any other title out at the moment. It plays out with the grace and power of a Zelda game and the user controlled independence of Warioware . Yet it differs from Zelda and any other adventure game in the way you interact and experience it. To those who don’t think that videogames can be art, play this game. For forty dollars it’s the best and cheapest Wii game that will be out this year.
> Comments