Okami

[Emir]

Box Art:


Right then, first impressions are as expected. This game is blindingly good at absorbing you in. The visuals are to die for.

There's a nice new opening video at the beginning, before the title screen appears with three options available.
I believe they are -

New Game
Load Game
Options

The opening section is near identical to the TGS demo. All controls are the same.

L1 - Changes View
L2 - Brings up a Map
R1 - Celestial Brush
R2 - Backwards Dash
Square - Attack
Triangle - Dig
Circle - Action button
X - Jump
Start - In-game Menu
Select - Options


Also I must mention the fact that I could find no Language option, so it's a slight struggle to navigate menu's as there are quite a lot, with various items available (there's even a small shop in the village area, available once you've solved a problem. Here you can buy and sell items with the coins collected by smashing various objects throughout the game). I've only played slightly beyond the TGS demo section, but it definitely is reminiscent of Wind Waker with regards to layout and structure.

Interacting with Villagers is simple enough, and if they have a problem to solve, it's usually shown or hinted at via the camera.

It's seems to run smoothly enough, and I've encountered no technical problems so far.

I'll post more details when I've given it more time.
First impressions overall are good, but I can see myself becoming stuck later with little knowledge of the language.

Edit: I've added boxart.

[Kevvy Metal]

Also I must mention the fact that I could find no Language option

****.

+6 Months wait for me then.

[buster_broon]

i've preordered my copy from VG+ just incase the Japanese text was a little intense

[Zed]

Bollacks. Do i struggle thru in Kanji, or wait and have potentially greater impact and feeling...?

Cheers for this Emir, let us know how difficult it is and so on. Hope you enjoy it!

[Spatial]

i've preordered my copy from VG+ just incase the Japanese text was a little intense

It's due end of May isn't it? Not too long to wait

[Concept]

No date due for the English version according to someone from Capcom over at EG (mind you this was a few weeks ago). Out when it's out etc. etc.

I'd imagine a date will be set at E3. On a further depressing note, apparently the Okami demo that was rumoured (or promised) to be in the next issue of the UK OPS2M isn't included. Bollocks and all that.

[Spatial]

No date? Boo!

[Kongster]

Emir - could you tell us about how the combat system works and if there is any scope for combos?

Thanks in advance

[Kevvy Metal]

Man, Capcom are usually good for including Multi language options in their Japanese releases (DMC3, Onimusha DOD ) THIS one I was really hoping, Okami is top of my most wanted list.

Oh well, i want to be able to understand It fully and not repeat the pain i went through whilst playing Chibi Robo in Japanese.

USA release it is then.



*twiddles thumbs

[VR46]

I thought USA release was confirmed to be August/September ? sorry guys,
btw, story translation halfway down this page http://softparadise2.free.fr/Story_Translation.txt

[Concept]

I thought USA release was confirmed to be August/September ? sorry guys,
btw, story translation halfway down this page http://softparadise2.free.fr/Story_Translation.txt

There was a September date floated about for Europe and the US, but last I looked it hadn't been confirmed by anyone at Capcom as official. It's a long time off if it is true.

I was hoping for June. Okami would certainly brighten up the usual summer drought.

[Emir]

Emir - could you tell us about how the combat system works and if there is any scope for combos?

Thanks in advance

Yeah, sorry I forgot to mention anything on the combat side of things.

As with the TGS demo, combat is confined to a small "arena" so to speak.
There is definitely a combo system in there, though I haven't given enough time to see how far it goes.
You are graded after each fight, earning yourself points for your kills (I'm guessing it grades on various things like style and performance, but I aint sure). And unless I was utterly **** this morning, they've dropped the ranking during battles (where you achieved "samurai" status etc.) because I was only getting a string of numbers counting as hits.
I could be wrong though, since I spent very little time battling because I was anxious to explore.

I'm not able to play this now 'til Monday since I'm away from home. Damn it. I need to get back to it.

[saif]

For those not keen on kanji - it does have furigana throughout. But, the vocals are gibberish so you have to read. I've been playing slowly making an attempt at reading it bit really is rather tricky. As there is a lot of mythical language, it prolly isn't vocab you all know. But you little helper seem to explain in a simpler way after the NPC has spoken.
It is rather lush. Didn't play the demo but the main game's fighting thus far does not seem to rely on combos or owt. Thus far. Buying stuff can upgrade your skills (eg number of brushes) so I guess it dvelops.

[Emir]

Forgot to mention how cool the manual is. It's just like a PAL MegaDrive booklet.(^_^)

[Emir]

Ok. Put some serious time into this today.

Done quite a few things now, and have opened up more areas.
One of the coolest things so far -

->Open Spoiler<-

I've met some old dude in his house who, provided you have enough cash, will sell you moves. Backdash is one of them. But here's the cool bit. He's got a droopy moustache and is kinda decrepit, but once you pay the guy his head turns upside down (moustache forming a sort of V symbol on his head), and he starts mimicing Joe moves with a burning fire background. I ****in' love that!

As mentioned before, they've dropped the ranking from the combat in the demo, and now you can only string together numbered hits. However, new moves are opening up possibilities, and the introduction of new enemies is throwing in a little variation to the kills.

There are also many animals you can feed with various foods available from stores. Feeding individual groups earns you love and "points" with which you can upgrade your powers/abilities.

So far I've come across a few puzzles. They're pretty straightforward, and completing certain tasks unlocks new celestial brush moves.

->Open Spoiler<-

Right now I've got the ability to restore cherry blossom trees, draw water lilies, draw bombs(^_^), bridge gaps, cut trees/enemies.

Another cool thing -

->Open Spoiler<-

there is treasure that glows like in Animal crossing. Digging it up usually reveals a chest containing some kind of treasure, but some hide grey clover leaves. Circling them with the brush turns them green. I'm guessing it's some kind of side quest to find them all.(^_^)

So far so good. Infact...
Game. Of. The. Year.