Okami

Okami is the story of the Shinto sun god returning to Earth in the form of a white wolf, out to restore landscapes beset by a particularly grubby evil with ethereal brush strokes, claw swipes, and the help of a strange little bouncing bug. Sure, it's precisely the sort of oddity that could only have originated in Japan, but it's more than that. A lot more.

THE VERDICT by Alex Wawro Alex Wawro's Avatar This was the best Ps2 release this year.
Something New Under the Sun
PROTIP: Don't be afraid to experiment with your brush powers: You never know when it could have an unexpected effect.

PROTIP: Don't be afraid to experiment with your brush powers: You never know when it could have an unexpected effect.

To call Okami's elegant visuals "cel-shaded" is to drastically understate their impact. Mimicking the aesthetics of a particular style of Japanese watercolor painting, and accompanied by traditional music, the appearance of this magically saturated world is tied closely to the gameplay. As the wolf, you may pause at any time by holding a button, and drag the "celestial brush" across the scene to paint missing objects into existence, turn night into day, complete star constellations, cut through monsters and obstacles with an inky sword slash, and much more.

Defeat the darkness infesting a particular area and you're treated to a vivid depiction of its rebirth. Bringing the sickened landscape of Nippon back to life isn't just visually rewarded, either: most good deeds earn you "praise points," which are spent on stat upgrades like life energy and ink wells.

A Light Touch
Okami is not just a video game; it's art.

Okami is not just a video game; it's art.

Just wandering and experimenting with the environment is great fun, and the ancient story is told without the deadly seriousness you might expect. A goofy undercurrent of humor runs through everything, with villages and outposts populated by nutty farmers, wannabe warriors, and a menagerie of beasties. Though the straight combat encounters that crop up aren't terribly memorable apart from brush stroke attacks, daffy taunt animations, and the occasional boss villain, they do reward you with goodies and money for the shops, and punctuate the less frenetic moments nicely. Each new area is more inventive and beautiful than the last, and secret digging spots, breakable pots, lovable interactive critters, and varied new brush techniques are sprinkled naturally throughout.

PROTIP: The longer you hold a direction, the faster Amaterasu can run, allowing you to sometimes outpace your enemies.

PROTIP: The longer you hold a direction, the faster Amaterasu can run, allowing you to sometimes outpace your enemies.

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