Summary
- Okami 2 was announced at the 2024 Game Awards, marking Hideki Kamiya's return to Capcom.
- Revisiting Okami reveals an interactive world akin to Tears of the Kingdom, hinting at ambitious gameplay.
- Bayonetta Origins, a puzzle-adventure, showcases Kamiya's diverse creativity beyond Bayonetta.
A sequel to the cult classic 2006 action-adventure game, Okami, was finally announced at the 2024 Game Awards. It is far from the first sequel no one expected to happen, but the announcement is particularly noteworthy because it marks Hideki Kamiya's return to Capcom.
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His directing the game also gives gamers hope that the sequel will be a true successor to the unique predecessor. The sequel is still years away, though, so fans have plenty of time if they're looking for some games to play while waiting for Okami 2. Of course, now is as good a time as any to play the original Okami for those who have not done so, but there are also plenty of other great options available.
8 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom
An Open-World Playground
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
- Released
- May 12, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Action, Open-World
One surprising thing about revisiting Okami is how interactive the world is. There are many little details and objects to toy around with that are not vital to the plot. These subtle systems are reminiscent of the open-world playground of Tears of the Kingdom, only on a smaller scale and not quite as physics-based.
Playing Tears of the Kingdom will make one think that maybe Okami 2 will go for a similar ambition. The first Okami was heavily influenced by Zelda, so maybe the sequel will similarly be influenced by the newer Zelda formula.
7 Neva
A Woman And Her Wolf
Neva
- Released
- October 15, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Nomada Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Devolver Digital
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Platformer, Puzzle
If a dog or an animal is involved in the story, many automatically assume that the ending will make players cry. It would be wrong to spoil anything here, but it can still be confirmed that Neva is a great side-scrolling platformer with puzzles. The art is also gorgeous and unique, another facet that connects it to Okami.
The minimal hud makes every second look like a painting. The developer previously made a name for itself with Gris, another title known for its stunning art and emotional narrative.
6 Viewtiful Joe
Fighting In Movieland
Viewtiful Joe
- Released
- June 26, 2003
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- t // Cartoon Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Clover Studio, Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Clover Studio
- Platform(s)
- GameCube, PlayStation 2
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Beat 'Em Up, Adventure
Viewtiful Joe is another game from Hideki Kamiya from the same generation. Unlike Okami, Viewtiful Joe is a side-scrolling action game. The titular character is taken into movieland where he must save his girlfriend. He then transforms into a superhero thanks to the help of a V-Watch.
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The cel-shaded art style is immediately appealing, and the combat is surprisingly challenging and diverse despite the 2D gameplay. Like Okami, the game was not a huge success but reviewed well among critics.
5 Ico
An Enigmatic Adventure In A Strange World
Ico
- Released
- September 24, 2001
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Violence
- Developer(s)
- JapanStudio, Team Ico
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Computer Entertainment
- Platform(s)
- PS2
Ico was a visual showcase early in the PS2's life, and its art is still impressive today after all these years. The game mixes puzzle-solving and some light combat as players have to guide a princess out of the castle. The story is obtuse, but players will come to understand everything they need to.
The puzzles are not difficult, but they are just intense enough to make most players think for a second or two. It is fun to go through the game a second time and speed through it once one knows how to solve all the puzzles.
Though not directly related, Ico takes place in the same world as Shadow of the Colossus and The Last Guardian.
4 Bayonetta Origins: Cereza And The Lost Demon
A Strange Turn For The Series But Logical For The Developer
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon
- Released
- March 17, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen for Animated Blood and Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Platinum Games
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Bayonetta Origins is a bit of a curveball for the series. It is a puzzle-adventure game taking place centuries before the debut title. While the spin-off might sound like a strange turn for Bayonetta and developer Platinum games, it is important to remember that this series shares the same DNA as Okami, having both come from the mind of Hideki Kamiya.
Even more than the puzzle-centered gameplay, the painterly art style will also remind players of Okami. Bayonetta Origins is a completely different vibe from the main games, but it is a great game nonetheless.
3 Resident Evil 2
From The Same Director As Okami
Resident Evil 2
- Released
- January 21, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube, PC, PS1
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Resident Evil 2 is not so much worth playing because it is like Okami. It is worth playing because it was also directed Hideki Kamiya . Comparing the spine-tingling terror of one of the most celebrated sequels of all time to Okami just goes to show how varied the game designer's output is.
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A mark of a true artist is their ability to produce works in a variety of genres and tones within the medium. It is like David Lynch being able to jump from Blue Velvet to The Straight Story.
2 The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time
One Of The Biggest Influences On Okami
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- Released
- November 21, 1998
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo 64, GameCube
It is easy to see the influence Zelda had on Okami when playing Ocarina of Time. The idea of a tool like the Ocarina changing the world in order to solve puzzles is a lot like the Celestial Brush mechanic from Okami.
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While Ocarina of Time is not really an open-world game, it does have open fields for exploring that encourage a sense of adventure. On top of the influential gameplay that helped set up the blueprint for 3D game design along with Super Mario 64, the world itself is beautifully crafted and inspired many young gamers' imaginations.
1 Chicory: A Colorful Tale
Color The World To Solve Puzzles
Chicory: A Colorful Tale
- Released
- June 10, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Comic Mischief, Mild Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Greg Lobanov
- Publisher(s)
- Finji
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Okami is not the only game that features a drawing mechanic. Chicory: A Colorful Tale is 2D, but it utilizes a painting mechanic as the main gameplay hook. The world is black-and-white, but players can paint it and slowly give it color.
There is more to the painting as the game progresses, as new abilities let players solve new puzzles. The game also features no combat, except for some skippable boss battles. This unique gameplay is wrapped up in a surprisingly touching narrative about art and artists.
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