Product ReviewsOkami - Sony PlayStation 2 (2006) (SLUS-21115)

Fun Story and Unique Graphics

Okami (PS2) is an older game, but still a lot of fun and unique. You play as a wolf god who tries to save his world from a spreading darkness (which is cool in itself), but you also meet a lot of other interesting characters along the way. The music, for the most part, is light-hearted and upbeat, and the graphics are simply amazing. They really make the game that much more beautiful and interesting, from the way the landscapes look to the flowers and plants Ammy leaves in her wake as she walks, runs, or jumps. On the PS2, though, the painting part of the game is a little bit tricky, but it works. All in all, a very fun game!Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: eodmiller10

1 of a kind

I love the ps2 and this game. theres nothing else like it. the game is just simply beautiful. it should have remained exclusive to the Ps2 and 3 but the wii deserved it as nintendo and sony were close at one time. but me growing up with this game, i fell in love with the story which is far from cliche. There is just endless life within okami (I love how nobody just sits around and every city is built starting off cursed but when you restore it, it functions like a normal city would be expected too in the feudal era of japan. The difficulty isn't too easy but its not too hard either. But its still fun to play and has great puzzles, a lengthy story to keep you hooked and 5 star gameplay. couldnt ask for me. the way the entire game functions is just a masterpiece. VERY sad shame cloverfield went out of buisness. they had a good run and had very good titles published under capcom. Namely Godhand, this and a lot moreRead full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: moxxy*mig

Something for just about everyone!

For anyone who appreciates Japanese mythology, adventure games, rpg style character strengthening, and a terrifically versatile sense of humor, Okami is an amazing addition to just about any gamer's library! Your main character is Amaterasu, a God who takes the form of a white wolf...who amazingly, though a noble God in its own right, manages to demonstrate gestures and mannerisms resembling a common house dog, it's a very cute contrast to how weighty Ammy's responsibilities are. One of the most unique aspects of this game takes the form of a celestial brush, which Ammy uses to perform miracles for the populace. You can use it to repair broken things for people, heal diseased land plants, vanquish evil monsters, and much more. And just when the game seems like it's coming to an end, it's only just beginning!

I think one of the few downfalls this game might have is that there isn't any significant spoken dialogue. The characters do have dialogue on-screen, and sound comes from your speakers when they speak, but it's a strange kind of garbled Japanese that can be a bit grating on the nerves. And as far as I know, there's no way to turn it off.

However, in my opinion, it doesn't hold the game back. If anything, it's like the game's world, despite being called Nippon (basically, another way of saying Japan), has its own language, which makes it more endearing than annoying.

As I said, most gamers will get an immense kick out of this one, don't pass it up if you can get it cheap! :-DRead full review...

Great game if you're interested in Japan : )

I borrowed this game from my friend and I didn't think much of it, but after playing it it definitely became one of my favorite games and I needed to own it.

The game centers around Amaterasu, the goddess in wolf form. She has been reborn and is trying to regain all her powers from before she was killed, while at the same time trying to restore peace to Japan and belief in the gods.

Much of the storyline and characters are partially based off of Japanese folklore. Some of the stories in the game include The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, The Story of Issun-Boshi, and the battle between Susanoo and Yamata no Orochi. The game also includes characters like Ushiwaka of the Moon Tribe and The Nine Tailed Fox. All of the stories blend in really well and the characters are likable which all provide for an interesting and fun game. :)

The beautiful artwork is based off of Japanese watercolor. Also the brush techniques used throughout the game are very creative; the different brush strokes you use can cut enemies, grow trees, and turn night into day, to name a few. Controlling the brush with the analog stick isn't a problem, but it may take a little getting used to as the brush strokes become more elaborate. While there is a version for the Wii, I can't say which one handles the brush better since I've only played the PS2 version.

The music is also very nice, it all fits the mood of the game.

Overall this is a great game that everyone (who's interested in adventure games) should at the very least try out, rent, or borrow. Although I definitely recommend buying it. :)Read full review...

Okami is a must-play title on the PS2 for all gamers

You need not look any further than the name of the game to see the light-hearted sense of humor you will find in this game - the name itself is a pun (meaning both "wolf" and "great god").

You play as the sun goddess Amaterasu who is reborn in a time when the world is being infected by darkness. She must awaken the gods of the various constellations to earn their powers which manifest in her weapon, the celestial brush. Though the brush is used in combat, it is also used to solve puzzles and to purify the land.

Zelda fans will feel immediately at home with Okami with a familiar formula of questing, puzzle solving, and real-time combat. Combat can be too easy at times, but it is balanced out with challenging puzzles including longer boss battles that are, in and of themselves, puzzles.

With collectibles and side quests, this game can be quite long - 40-60 hours for completionists. A new game plus option adds some replayability, though I finished my first playthrough wishing to just start a new game right away.

It goes without saying, the graphics are a shining part of this game. They mimic the sumi-e (ink wash) style, but the world is full of vivid colors, quite literally bursting across the screen. This game is a treat for the eyes, no question.

The brush techniques seem as though they would be best-suited to the wii with motion controls, but without the motion plus, it is not an exact science - it is definitely easier to get used to making circles with the joystick on the playstation controller. Controls are overall natural and easy to pick up right out of the box.

Okami is one of those games that was a critical success, but did not have the sales to match. It was released within a week of Final Fantasy XII and suffered the blow of the Squeenix juggernaut on initial sales.

Whatever reason you missed this game before now, there is no time like the present to pick it up!Read full review...

OKAMI is one of the last Gems on PS2

Okami is an absolutely gorgeous game. Yes, it can't compete with Gears of War, PS3's resistance of man, or any of the next-gen games in terms of photo-realism and polygons per second, but it can compete in the general category of graphics. The visuals in Okami are phenominal and amazingly stylistic. A new look you've never seen before, Okami looks like a living breathing watercolor. Words really can't describe the way the game looks like in motion. The gameplay and puzzles are topnotch too. The celestial brush technique is different and is really fun incorporating into the puzzles and even the battles (though I think it is sort of cheap in battle since it freezes the screen). One of the best things about Okami though is getting your wolf, Amaterasu running at full speed and just enjoying the scenery. Basically the structure of the game is like most other action rpgs: Explore area, solve puzzles, defeat bosses, gain new abilities, and gain access to new areas to explore. What makes this whole experience more rewarding and new is the fact that you are restoring color and nature to all its glory as you go. You can literally see teh results of defeating evil... trees bloom, animals return, color is restored, people reoccupy the area, etc. You truly start feeling like the Mother Goddess Amaterasu. It's really just an amazing adventure and the last great gem of a game that will probably grace PS2 now that PS3 is on the horizon and releasing in the coming weeks. An absolute must play for all Zelda and RPG fans.

Gameplay: 9/10
Pros: Your wolf can really run and makes exploring great. Drawing Stuff with the brush and puzzle-solving is really unique and different (outside of the DS at least) and works well.
Cons: The battles are fun and break up everything else nicely, but can be annoying when travelling long distances...you can see them and try and avoid them, but its still a nuisance when they get ya.

Graphics: 10/10
Pros: I'm not one to insist that graphics be photorealistic and find the vibrant watercolor graphics of Okami to be absolutely beautiful. The best Graphics on PS2 since MGS3
Cons: Nothing for me, but some may not like the stylistic look

Sound: 8.5/10
Pros: Amazing score and sounds- especially the wolf sounds
Cons: No voicework at all, instead each character sort of has a mumbly sound as the text comes up. It works within the theme well, but when most RPGs have full voice- it makes it seem lacking

Lasting Appeal: 9/10
Pros: The game is REALLY long. I've heard 60+ hours. I've been playing for about 20+ and have had it for a couple weeks. A long enjoyable Quest and a great stroy w/ some Mini-games: fishing, digging, etc. Just what an RPG needs
Cons: I'm not really sure if there is any incentive to replay an RPG, and this one is no different

Average: 91.25%
Tilt (+/-): +2.75%
Okami is the PS2's Zelda. A great Action RPG that will hopefully see a sequel despite Clover Studios (the team behind the game) being broken up. One of the last gems on Playstation 2!

Verdict: 94%Read full review...

Okami: A fitting game for a god

"Okami" is the story of the sun god Amaterasu (who is in the shape of the wolf) and her struggle against the demon Orochi. The player controls Amaterasu as she travels across Nippon to collect celestial brush techniques in an adventure very much similar to a 3D "Legend of Zelda." The celestial brush can be used to draw specific things into the world and this works as the game's big draw.
The world map for this game is very big and it's a blast to explore every last bit of it. The game looks amazing even by early 2011 standards thanks to the cel-shaded look and some truly inspired art direction. Everything looks like it was taken straight from an ancient Japanese scroll. In fact, just about everything in the game relates in Japanese mythology in some shape or form. For example, "Okami" can mean "sun god" or "wolf" in Japanese depending on the spelling. The result is an experience that feels fresh yet still feels familiar (to those familiar with Japanese mythology).
The combat in this game is quite fun. There are three different kinds of weapons in the game and each one is easy to pick up and hard to master. New moves are also learned as the story progresses or if the player feels like stopping by a dojo to train in the art of fighting. There are number of enemies in the game and fighting each one feels like a unique experience. The difficulty of the fighting isn't too bad but the learning curve jumps during the last 20% of the game and things can be quite tricky in terms of both combat and the platforming the game throws at you.
The game has a ton of sidequests to do. The celestial brush techniques you gather on your quest can affect the world in surprising ways. You become more powerful if you use these techniques to help the people and the animals (what else would a god do?)
The only real flaw I could find with this game is performing the brush techniques themselves. There were one or two occasions where the brush has to be especially precise and the game can be quite picky. For example, sometimes you try to bring a tree back to life and the game thinks you're trying to draw a sun in the background. This isn't a common occurrence but it is quite annoying when it happens.
Overall, this game is overflowing with creativity and style. Pick it up if you love art or just want to do see what's it like to play as a wolf/god!Read full review...

Great game all around

I'm gong to try and keep this short
Graphics ☆☆☆☆☆
Sound ☆☆☆☆☆
Story ☆☆☆☆☆
Gameplay ☆☆☆☆☆
Game flow ☆☆☆☆
Overall ☆☆☆☆☆

The graphics are sumi-e style, which is a beautiful woodcut painting. It translates beautifully and makes the game never feel boring.

The sound has a mix of traditional Japanese instruments with standard game music that creates an interesting atmosphere. The only thing that can be irritating is the speech. Some people don't care for bebese (nasally woh wee wah woo woh sounding speech that uses a voice but isn't actually saying anything)I don't mind it, so I didn't take a star off.

The story is taking about a dozen traditional Shinto Japanese fairy tales, remixing them into one story, and tweaking the characters in a more comedic fashion. For those who know the stories-like Issun Bōshi, Yamata-no-Orochi & Susanoo, Urashima Tarō, Izanagi, Izanami and Yomi, Kaguya-hime, The Hakkenshi and the Satomi House, Shita-kiri Suzume, Momotaro, Okikurumi, the draconians, The Chinese Zodiac, and The Imperial Regalia-there's no end to the puns and jokes that float about from those stories.
BUT!! For those who don't know those stories, this game stands well enough with 0 knowledge. You don't even have to know Japanese culture to enjoy this game.

Gameplay is unique with it's brush system. Most of the controls are pretty standard, but the brush system makes everything much more interesting.

Gameflow-my only complaint is that towards the end the speed slows down and it's easy to get distracted from the main quest. For those of you who play the story through-this won't bother you. For those of us who like 100% completion, you can't do much at the beginning, but the end opens up everything-which leaves us with too much to do, and we can't remember the story it's been so long.

Overall it's got so much replay value, new game+, and a whole bunch more awesomeness that would take this whole website to fully explain. My favorite ps2 game of 109 games.Read full review...

Okami

I got this game for Christmas without having ever heard of it before. I was intrigued by the art style and was curious as to how the studio had implemented the 'Celestial Brush,' so I started playing it right away. It exceeded my expectations, but it wasn't a perfect game.

-The graphics are beautiful, especially because of how unique they are.
-There's no voice acting in the game, but there is a lot of dialouge. The characters talking is represented by a strange mumbling noise that annoyed everyone I know, although I personally didn't mind it.
-The soundtrack doesn't stand out as being amazing or unbearable. There were some cool songs in it, but overall it didn't really affect my opinion of the game.
-The game isn't very difficult. I beat it 100% on my first play through with about 60 hours of gameplay, and didn't die a single time.
-The plot is very easy to follow, although it seemed to me at about the 30-hour mark the creators set up a perfect ending and then randomly extended it to be a 60-hour game instead.
-While the Celestial Brush is a very cool mechanic, at times the game had a hard time processing which skill I was trying to use. Most of the time it worked as intended, but occasionally it would cause problems.
-The controls were excellent. Okami Amaterasu behaved exactly as I wanted her to, and with style, at that.

Overall, I would recommend the game, but not to someone who's looking for a real challenge. This game is perfect for a casual gamer.Read full review...

A world beautifully created, bursting with color, and light, and line.

One of the greatest most innovative games to ever grace the PS2 library, Okami stands the test of time and continues to provide a great video game experience. The PS2, in my opinion, was the most incredible system for a number of reasons. It was on the PS2 that the video gaming industry was exploring what worked and what people were looking for in video games. The systems that came afterward are certainly more advanced with better graphics, frame rate, and more realistic landscapes, but something was overlooked. What you find in Okami is what is often missing; The desire to create art over the sale ability of a game. So many of the formulas today are driven by what will sell first, by the tried and true. In Okami we have something different. As with so many other games on the PS2 there seems to be a desire to push the limits. The limits of the graphic capability, as well as thew limits of story. With Okami you find yourself immersed in a fantastic world. A world beautifully created, bursting with color and light and line. With each step of the hero flowers and plants appear behind him, the story is amazing, the characters hilarious. Okami will forever hold it's place as one of the most innovative and beautiful games on any system. A must for any collector, and a testament of what a great system the PS2 was and will always be. I always stay current with the newest systems and marvel at how far the video game industry has come, but I also hold a special place for what Okami, and other games like it on the PS2 did for the gaming world.Read full review...