Capcom is one of the biggest game companies
out there. When Okami was first announced, it looked like it would
revolutionize the gaming industry. So, many a people paid attention
along its development stages. Now the final version is out for the
gaming public to enjoy. I'm very proud to say that Okami has met and
exceeded all expectations!
GRAPHICS: 10/10 Webmaster Rating
Obviously, this part of the game has gotten the most attention. This
game has a very unique art style that uses some early Japanese
paintbrushing on the environments and characters. This is truly a great
looking game, just because not only does this art style seem so
different from the norm, but it is just incredible how everything is
shown to you in this style with no real hitches or glitches to speak of.
The characters, like I stated before, also follow this style and they
all look great, especially Amaretsu, the main character of the game. The
biggest and best thing I noticed about this game's graphics throughout
the game was how as your character moved across desolate fields, color
and life sprang up right behind Amaretsu as she moved gracefully across
the wilderness changing the world to complete color. This is art at its
finest, ladies and gentlemen!
SOUND: 9.5/10 Webmaster Rating
Not only do the graphics represent early Japan, but the sound does too.
The music follows along the earlier decades of Japan's history and man
does it sound good, especially when put into the context of what's going
on in the game. The sound effects aren't really that big of a deal in
this game, just the standard slash and wolf barks. The voice-acting,
well there really isn't a voice-acting to be spoken for. All of the
characters just sort of mumble noises. While this is nicer than having
bad Japanese accents on regular voice-acting, I wish they maybe would
have tried to do real voice-acting. I'm not a big fan of the mumbles and
squeaks. Except for the artist bug. That's pretty entertaining.
GAMEPLAY: 9/10 Webmaster Ratingg
Another one of the reasons Okami was so watched by the gaming press is
the brush stroke control. The way you use this is simply pressing a
button, which will make the scene go gray and pan out the camera, which
then you use the analog stick to draw lines, circles and slashes with
your brush that effects certain objects in the game. This technique
works really really well, but there is one thing I've got to gripe
about. While this style of control is nice, the only real things you can
do with the brush are circles and lines. While I can understand that's a
matter of simplicity, maybe if they make Okami 2, they can tweak the
brush so it can do more! Although, for the moment, you do have to know a
little something to succeed in this game. The brush strokes require
perfect timing on when you should use it for either a puzzle or a fight.
Speaking of puzzles, the puzzles in this game are very well played out.
They're not too easy, nor too hard! They also get harder as the game
progresses, which is a very good move, seeing as how a player should get
better as he/she plays. The same goes with fights. You can do some melee
attacks with Amaretsu, but you can also use the brush as a weapon. The
early fights aren't too hard, but later in the game it will challenge
you. The boss fights are incredible. Capcom was able to come up with
some really unique bosses to put against your heroine and they're also
fun and challenging. Among these, there are side quests that will help
you get used to more of the games controls, like picking plants and
other odd jobs. Hmm...I smell Legend of Zelda! Anywho, this game is an
amazing feat, and while the brush technology is not perfect, it's pretty
damn good.
OVERALL:
Overall, this game is a treat that will delight any PS2 owner who is
fortunate enough to buy it. This game should be considered one of the
best games to ever be featured on the PS2 for its art, its new gaming
experience, and its lasting appeal.
FINAL SCORE: 9.5/10 Webmaster Rating
Review submited by Nightcrawler on Monday, Setember 25, 2006
out there. When Okami was first announced, it looked like it would
revolutionize the gaming industry. So, many a people paid attention
along its development stages. Now the final version is out for the
gaming public to enjoy. I'm very proud to say that Okami has met and
exceeded all expectations!
GRAPHICS: 10/10 Webmaster Rating
Obviously, this part of the game has gotten the most attention. This
game has a very unique art style that uses some early Japanese
paintbrushing on the environments and characters. This is truly a great
looking game, just because not only does this art style seem so
different from the norm, but it is just incredible how everything is
shown to you in this style with no real hitches or glitches to speak of.
The characters, like I stated before, also follow this style and they
all look great, especially Amaretsu, the main character of the game. The
biggest and best thing I noticed about this game's graphics throughout
the game was how as your character moved across desolate fields, color
and life sprang up right behind Amaretsu as she moved gracefully across
the wilderness changing the world to complete color. This is art at its
finest, ladies and gentlemen!
SOUND: 9.5/10 Webmaster Rating
Not only do the graphics represent early Japan, but the sound does too.
The music follows along the earlier decades of Japan's history and man
does it sound good, especially when put into the context of what's going
on in the game. The sound effects aren't really that big of a deal in
this game, just the standard slash and wolf barks. The voice-acting,
well there really isn't a voice-acting to be spoken for. All of the
characters just sort of mumble noises. While this is nicer than having
bad Japanese accents on regular voice-acting, I wish they maybe would
have tried to do real voice-acting. I'm not a big fan of the mumbles and
squeaks. Except for the artist bug. That's pretty entertaining.
GAMEPLAY: 9/10 Webmaster Ratingg
Another one of the reasons Okami was so watched by the gaming press is
the brush stroke control. The way you use this is simply pressing a
button, which will make the scene go gray and pan out the camera, which
then you use the analog stick to draw lines, circles and slashes with
your brush that effects certain objects in the game. This technique
works really really well, but there is one thing I've got to gripe
about. While this style of control is nice, the only real things you can
do with the brush are circles and lines. While I can understand that's a
matter of simplicity, maybe if they make Okami 2, they can tweak the
brush so it can do more! Although, for the moment, you do have to know a
little something to succeed in this game. The brush strokes require
perfect timing on when you should use it for either a puzzle or a fight.
Speaking of puzzles, the puzzles in this game are very well played out.
They're not too easy, nor too hard! They also get harder as the game
progresses, which is a very good move, seeing as how a player should get
better as he/she plays. The same goes with fights. You can do some melee
attacks with Amaretsu, but you can also use the brush as a weapon. The
early fights aren't too hard, but later in the game it will challenge
you. The boss fights are incredible. Capcom was able to come up with
some really unique bosses to put against your heroine and they're also
fun and challenging. Among these, there are side quests that will help
you get used to more of the games controls, like picking plants and
other odd jobs. Hmm...I smell Legend of Zelda! Anywho, this game is an
amazing feat, and while the brush technology is not perfect, it's pretty
damn good.
OVERALL:
Overall, this game is a treat that will delight any PS2 owner who is
fortunate enough to buy it. This game should be considered one of the
best games to ever be featured on the PS2 for its art, its new gaming
experience, and its lasting appeal.
FINAL SCORE: 9.5/10 Webmaster Rating
Review submited by Nightcrawler on Monday, Setember 25, 2006
