Okami

[toythatkills]

Are you playing this in a chipped PS2?

My copy doesn't work

[Emir]

Are you playing this in a chipped PS2?

My copy doesn't work

No. A slimline white JPN one.

Not that I'll have any answers, but is it not loading?

[toythatkills]

Dang. It says it's copy protected on the back, I dunno if that's stopping it working or if I've just got a duff copy

EDIT: It is OK now, I had to turn the chip off (as it were).

[Emir]

Cool. Now get to it so There's more than me in this thread.

[toythatkills]

Finding the language barrier very difficult so far, as someone with no knowledge at all! I pretty much loaded, went through the intro, and then accidentally quit the game when I was messing in the options screen. D'uh!

There sure is tons of menus. But the game, so pretty. Time to reload and start again <blush>

[Emir]

Man, I can't read that stuff either. Don't let it put you off.
I've avoided the options menu (select) all together.

Here's the set up for the In-game menu.

From left to right, it goes:

Items, Powers/abilities (for levelling up), Brush moves, Notes, Map, and finally exit screen.

So far the only items I've used are things like foods to feed animals. Using the points from the "love" earned by doing so enables you to level up your abilities (buy more ink pots for the brush, increase life gauge etc.)
The Brush moves are only visible on the different scrolls when you have unlocked them. There are 15 in total.
The notes cover things like enemy info, and the map can be altered on the menu screen, showing places you need to go, and the trees you need to restore life to, and also save points.

If you get stuck I'll try to help. Just remember, I can't read it either.(^_^)

[toythatkills]

Yeah, I'll get it with a bit of playing around I think, just completed the tutorial area (one guesses) and I've got a couple of brush moves, I'm loving this so far!

I was actually looking for a save menu when I quit by mistake, but I've worked that out now

[Emir]

Okay, I'm posting what combat I've experienced so far.

->Open Spoiler<-

I've encountered 5 different enemies within the "arenas" so far, with another enemy (a viscious tree) outside these confined battle spots. Combat is instigated once you enter/walk into a floating, green scroll. There are many of these throughout the areas that have been consumed by the evil. So far it seems these wandering scrolls (which will dive at you if you're too close) seem to disappear once you've fought through all of them and restored the land back to it's former beauty.

The different types of enemies so far consist of -
empty handed (*Edit - think they have flutes)
Those holding musical instruments as weapons (drums,guitars)
A huge flying fish

The ones with drums and the fish are pretty large.
Each has his own weakness. The flying fish can be taken down after hitting them in air, then slashing them with the brush. Once they've fallen you can really lay into 'em.
The dudes with guitar type instruments tend to use them to block attacks. You can break through this with the brush at the right moment. Once the instrument has gone they're defenseless.
The drummers tend to burrow underground, and once they've surfaced they'll beat the drum, usually shaking the ground on the final beat. It's best to just jump above them, slash at their heads and finish 'em with the brush.

I've noticed you score bigger points by finishing kills with a slash of the brush. They'll take a certain number of hits before letting out a cry and falling through the air. If you manage to slash 'em at that point you can cut 'em clean in half.

The trees I mentioned earlier will respawn when you've left the area. They are darker in colour to the usual bunch of lush trees and become animated when you're near. They grow a kind of glowing pink ball on a brach before swinging it towards you.

You can't cut these in half 'til you've stunned 'em first, so dodge the attacks and charge 'em mid-air, instantly following that attack with a swipe of the brush.

That's pretty much all I've come across so far.

[Emir]

Just finished the first boss(^_^)

->Open Spoiler<-

That damn ugly spider seen in the trailers)

Plus I've encountered a few new enemies and acquired a few new brush moves as well as new weapons.

Oh yeah,

->Open Spoiler<-

there's also a little fishing simulation as part of a sidequest to help somebody.(^_^)

Combat is a little deeper now, with the introduction of these new weapons.
You get to set them up however you like. You choose one as a primary weapon and the other'll double as a secondary weapon.

->Open Spoiler<-

First off I got what I'll describe as a "whip" like weapon. If you go to the settings you can replace the standard flaming mirror/shield which is worn on your back, for the whip. This whip is sick! You can get a full 99 hits with this baby (provided the enemy doesn't die first). Now, while hitting the square button repeatedly racks up the combo, the secondary weapon is used via the triangle button. If the mirror/shield is set to the secondary weapon, then it will be spun around in front of you, and will basically act as a block against projectiles and attacks. But here's the cool bit, provided you successfully block an attack, you will instantly pull of a pretty nifty counter move. You'll take the enemy up into the air, before slamming them down on the ground. It's quite rewarding since it pretty much kills 'em instantly.

Now if you've got the "whip" as your secondary, hitting the triangle button sees you firing your own projectiles.

Before the boss fight I had to traverse what is essentially a dungeon. There are a couple of puzzles, but it's not too difficult.As for the bosses ('cause there was a sort of sub-boss)

->Open Spoiler<-

The first is pretty easy. You'll encounter him in the the beginning of the third area. This dude has a samurai sword and a flute that doubles as a light sabre(^_^).
It's a pretty neat little fight, and you'll be awarded points after it's over.

The real boss is a little trickier. You must use your newly acquired move to "hook" him.

Thats's all I'm saying.

I'm loving the day/night cycle in this. When the sun's setting everything takes on this golden glow. And the music...

[saif]

Obviously much slower than Emir (trying - and usually failing - to read and understand this) but it is a really lush game. Even when it goes black and white (brush time) it looks fantastic. Getting into it a bit more - had a rubbish cold for a few days. Now I can think again, can return to Okami. I'm trying to use it as a pseudo study aid too, so not sure that I will blitz through.

[Emir]

Obviously much slower than Emir (trying - and usually failing - to read and understand this) but it is a really lush game. Even when it goes black and white (brush time) it looks fantastic. Getting into it a bit more - had a rubbish cold for a few days. Now I can think again, can return to Okami. I'm trying to use it as a pseudo study aid too, so not sure that I will blitz through.

I wish I knew what was being said. Are you playing through with a dictionary?

The actions of certain characters are a real help, and the humour is pretty universal (I love Susanoo*, he cracks me up).

*think that's his name.

[saif]

I have a dictionary so am using it BUT quite a few of the words are not in it....bit annoying. But trying to see what the characters saay to help them out a bit.

[Concept]

So... does it live up to the amount of glowing praise in the reviews it's recieved?

[venom743]

So... does it live up to the amount of glowing praise in the reviews it's recieved?

Yes, it does!
One of the games of this year/generation IMO.

[Emir]

Yes, it does!
One of the games of this year/generation IMO.

You better believe it! This is gold.(^_^) Pure gaming gold.