OKAMI - greatest game ever?

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D_Davis
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OKAMI - greatest game ever?

Post by D_Davis » Thu Sep 21, 2006 6:41 pm

All hyperbole aside, my time spent so far with this gem is leading me to feel this way. It is glorious. I actually requested the day off from work on Friday to devour this epic game for a solid 8 hours.

First impressions:

Last night, I started playing Okami around 7. The next time I looked at the clock, it was after 11. If you have ever wondered what Zelda would be like had the franchise been created by Miyazaki, well, wonder no more – here is your answer. But cheap analogies alone cannot convey how awesome this game is, it must be experienced, and what an experience it is. The first time you restore the color and foliage to a dying land, or bring the blossoms of a dead cherry tree back to fruition, you really won’t believe your eyes. The game offers a wonderful narrative and characters, and creates a symbiotic connection between the player and the game world. I find myself actually wanting to save the world, as the gameplay mechanics and narrative compelled to finish quest after quest.

The coolest part so far has been the miracle/praise component. The wolf you play as is a god, but she has been asleep for over 100 years. When she awakens, the people no longer believe she is a real god, and they see your character as a normal white wolf. By using the Celestial Brush, and by painting on the screen, you can perform miracles to regain the people’s lost faith.

One lady needs to hang her laundry to dry but has lost her line, and so you draw a line between to poles to create one for her. She then hangs her clothes but the sun is going down, and so you redraw the sun in the sky. Many of the people in the various villages have problems that must be solved by performing miracles. When you get their praise, you can use it to strengthen your character. You can also get praise points by caring for and feeding the various wild animals throughout the land. The act of reestablishing a people’s faith is a major part of the game, and I applaud Clover Studio’s decision to offer up this kind of mechanic.

The game is just gorgeous. It plays and controls like a dream, it features a gripping narrative, wonderful characters, and the localization is flawless – I actually laughed at some of the jokes. It also looks like a dream, like a living and breathing painting. Many have said it before me, but it must be said again – there is just not another game like this anywhere, and it is simply one of the best looking and playing games you will ever play. If you like good games, of any genre, you owe it to yourself to play Okami.

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raz0red
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Post by raz0red » Sat Sep 23, 2006 8:19 am

I picked this one up yesterday after reading your review. I am going to start playing it today and will post my impressions after I get a bit of the way through it. I have heard that the beginning portion is a bit slow, but that it is definitley worth sticking with.

It is very cool to see developers taking risks. I really hope this game turns out to be a commercial success.

--Raz.

msaeger
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Post by msaeger » Sat Sep 23, 2006 2:32 pm

I just tried the demo that was with the latest OPM and I really need to go out and get this right away. The brush thing is a really great idea because you don"t have to scroll through a menu of items to do everything just draw the symbol. It is kinda annoying having to draw the same thing over and over during a fight though.

Here is a interview with the president of Clover http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/5011 I like his philosophy about making more less costly games vs putting all your eggs in one basket. I don't see how he can say they don't have good art though okami and viewtiful joe look amazing.
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Post by PristineSteam » Sun Sep 24, 2006 8:11 pm

This sounds great, and it is in my GameFly queue. I can't wait to try it.


Tom

D_Davis
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Post by D_Davis » Sun Sep 24, 2006 8:27 pm

I am about 15 hours into the game thus far, and honestly, it just keeps getting better. It may be the only game to out Zelda, Zelda. I just can't get enough of OKAMI. I want to keep playing to get more, but at the same time, I never want it to end.

D_Davis
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Post by D_Davis » Sun Sep 24, 2006 8:28 pm

raz0red wrote:I picked this one up yesterday after reading your review. I am going to start playing it today and will post my impressions after I get a bit of the way through it. I have heard that the beginning portion is a bit slow, but that it is definitley worth sticking with.

It is very cool to see developers taking risks. I really hope this game turns out to be a commercial success.

--Raz.
The beginning is a bit slow, but it really opens up around the 2-3 hour mark. The game is easy, and like THE WIND WAKER, I doubt I will ever actually die. The challenge comes from the exploration and finding everything to do.

msaeger
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Post by msaeger » Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:20 am

I bought this Sunday and played it about four hours. It's been good so far the only thing I don't like is the hand holding hopefully that will lessen.
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Matt

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