Metareview: Okami
by Alisha Karabinus 
{ Apr 14th 2008 at 12:00PM }
Electronic Gaming Monthly: 94% -- EGM found the Okami port flawed, but worth every moment of the imperfect journey. "Okami's paintbrush-on-canvas mechanics that drive combat and interaction with the world seem perfectly suited to the Wii Remote but simply aren't reliably precise ... Still, it's one of the few games that can overcome shaky fundamentals in light of an astonishingly engaging adventure. Easily my (Nick Suttner) favorite Wii game."
Nintendo Power: 75% -- When Nintendo Power recommends the PS2 version of your port, there may be a problem. "Quite simply, the controls just didn't make the jump to Wii as well as they shold have ... Okami is a work of genius, but you should play the original game instead of the Wii version if you can."
IGN: 90% -- Matt Casamassina enjoyed the controls, and the port itself, even more* than the original -- which was 2006's Game of the Year at IGN. "Now, you can play the game in 480p and 16:9 widescreen, and you can do so using the Wii remote, which controls Amaterasu's celestial brush with a level of speed and accuracy never before possible. It's implemented so triumphantly that it actually changes the pace of the game, effectively speeding everything up ... Okami's strengths on Wii far outweigh any of its weaknesses. Wii owners can pick the game up for only $39.99 and those who do will be walking away with an outstanding title full of great adventure of a caliber typically reserved for titles starring Link and Zelda. I still think Twilight Princess is Wii's best adventure, but Okami is more than a worthy alternative. Support this game -- it deserves nothing less than your full attention."
*Note that despite liking the Wii version more, Casamassina scored this Okami lower due to the time that has lapsed since the original, and due to unchanged and unfixed issues.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
WIIONEACHOTHER @ Apr 21st 2008 11:04AM
not a matt fanboy or matt take mii to bed type of guy but im sensing a little sony fanboy envy in those reviews
matt wouldn't score that high without reason
do i smell yet another sony fan biased wii reviewers take on a game there
why decribe the wiimote as flowing if it is not
im no ign lover but i gota take there review more honestly than the others
somethings a miss with the others after so many good previews its a qiuck ps2 port wii all know that but capcons record is faultless on wii new or port so a big phat hummmmmmmmmm ahhummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm GOES OUT TO THE OTHER REVIEWS
Eddie @ Apr 14th 2008 12:35PM
i never played it on ps2. definitely picking it up, even with flawed controls. i won't know the difference woooooooo
Mike D @ Apr 14th 2008 12:47PM
I still have no clue if I'll like this game. I loved TP and other adventure/rpgs but I just don't *get* this game. You paint your enemies? I guess I'm afraid its too "artsy" for me.
Author X @ Apr 14th 2008 12:52PM
Well, I played a demo on the PS2 (and plan to pick up Okamwii), so as I understand it, the mechanics are thus: you run around and attack and what-have-you just like in a Zelda game, though with customizable equipment. You have celestial powers that are activated by switching to the brush, which freezes the action and turns the current screen into a canvas. You can then draw a line through something to cut it, or a bomb to create an explosion, and so forth in that fashion.
SoshiKitai @ Apr 14th 2008 3:08PM
To add on:
You can ink- which doesn't do anything other than blinds the enemy for a moment
You can ink a dash across the screen- which acts like a sword slash, it can damage enemies and open up certain doorways, it can also expose enemy weaknesses if aimed and timed correctly
You can draw a bomb- which creates a bomb, useful for heavy damage and destroying obstacles
You can also make breezes- which may not seem like much, but it can expose enemy's weak-spots
You can also make fire jump from one spot to another- which can open certain switches, damage enemies, and destroy cold enemies (or leave them exposed)
You can also make water jump from one spot to another- which can open certain switches, create new platforms, and destroy fire enemies (or leave them exposed)
You can make water lilies- which makes a floating platform above water to avoid drowning from being in the water for too long
You can make vines launch and attach to you- allowing you to swing from platform to platform
You can make a circle to make things bloom, which is only really useful against certain flower-type enemies, and clear most of the main objectives
When you gain a certain, sort-of rosary weapon, you can dab ink on the screen rapidly- it creates a machine gun effect
That's definitely not all there is, but it gives you a more clear idea of what you can do.
And you know what the best thing is? (at least to me)
You can most of these powers OUTSIDE of battle! :D I love messing with the town folks with these powers, it's beyond addictive.
AnOffday @ Apr 14th 2008 2:49PM
How weird is that? Nintendo freaking Power suggesting you play the PS2 version instead? Does anyone else feel like there's something else going on here?
SoshiKitai @ Apr 14th 2008 2:57PM
Nintendo Power always feels a bit awkward... Ssshhhh. You'll blow their cover!
J @ Apr 14th 2008 4:34PM
Maybe there is something a little more insidious at work with the struggles of 3rd Party devs on Nintendo consoles.
How connected is Nintendo Power to Nintendo, exactly?
Gewurztraminer says: R.O.B. is the last Cylon! @ Apr 14th 2008 6:29PM
@J: Interesting point. With Future US holding the reins, Nintendo Power technically is slightly less connected to Nintendo than it was mere months ago.
Gewurztraminer says: R.O.B. is the last Cylon! @ Apr 14th 2008 6:47PM
As a PS2 owner, Okami was one of many games I never made time for. Now that Okami has jumped to the Wii I will certainly be buying it. I have absolutely NO idea when I'll ever play the game, but I'll be buying it. I still have a half-dozen other Wii games that beg to be played (still haven't finished Twilight Princess or Super Paper Mario, Zack & Wiki is months old and still wrapped, Guitar Hero III is frickin' Guitar Hero III, Brawl has practically consumed me, and Mario Kart is still a must buy).
Even if my copy doesn't see the light of day until 2010 I will play it eventually. I have an appreciation for art history from college so just experiencing the Okami world sounds intriguing.
Phil @ Apr 14th 2008 6:48PM
Ya know, I had a feeling someone was going to be disappointed with the controls.
I imagine that there are bugs that didn't get fixed but... Honestly, I don't remember any from the original. o_O
I'm assuming there's a sensitivity adjustment for the wii remote so maybe NP should've tried a little harder. Also, recommending the PS2 version DOESN'T exactly help. Either you stick with the console your magazine is focused around or you do the intelligent thing and go sign up to another mag or website.
Cyberxion @ Apr 29th 2008 10:53AM
I know this is way late in coming, but I've been playing this game for about a week, and I have to say that while there is a bit of an initial learning curve in relation to the paint-brush mechanics and the combat, once I got past that, the game took on a life of it's own.
I have to agree with Matt, in that the pace of the game is effectively sped up, not only by the quicker celestial brush moves in relation to that of the PS2 version, but through the ability to skip cut-scenes as well. I've already seen all this stuff on the PS2, and it's nice to have the option to skip the text and get right down to enjoying the wonders the game presents.
The only blemish on the face of this port is the lack of the paper filter, but to my eye the game actually comes off better for it. The vibrant graphics are allowed to shine, whereas the PS2 version looked unique, but a little washed out.
I think it's a fantastic game on both consoles, and it deserves to be played on either. However, while I had my doubts initially, I've come to feel that the Wii version offers the definitive Okami experience.