Okami 2 Revelations: Exclusive Creator Interview

We recently had the opportunity to visit Osaka, Japan, and sit down for an insightful two-hour interview with the creative minds behind the upcoming Okami sequel. Our conversation with Clover's director Hideki Kamiya, Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi, and Machine Head Works producer Kiyohiko Sakata delved into the exciting plans for this sequel, its origins, and what fans can look forward to.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time during the interview and believe you will too, whether you choose to watch or read the full version here. However, for those interested in the key takeaways, we've summarized the highlights that are particularly exciting for Okami enthusiasts. Here's what you need to know:

The Okami sequel is being developed using the RE Engine

One of the most significant revelations from our interview was that the Okami sequel will be crafted using Capcom's RE Engine. For a deeper dive into this, check out our comprehensive article here. Essentially, the RE Engine was chosen because it enables the team to bring to life aspects of their vision that were previously unattainable with older technology. While some at Clover are new to this engine, Capcom's partner, Machine Head Works, is stepping in to bridge that gap.

Mystery ex-Platinum developers involved via Machine Head Works

Rumors have been swirling about talent departing from PlatinumGames, including individuals closely associated with Hideki Kamiya and the original Okami team. When we directly inquired about potential involvement from developers like Shinji Mikami, Abebe Tinari, or Takahisa Taura, Kamiya hinted at the participation of some ex-Platinum and ex-Capcom members through Machine Head Works. The exact identities remain a mystery for now.

Capcom has long desired to create an Okami sequel

For a more detailed exploration of this topic, visit our article here. In brief, despite the initial commercial underperformance of Okami, its subsequent success on various platforms caught Capcom's attention, leading to long-held plans for a sequel. As Yoshiaki Hirabayashi explained, the project required the right team to come together, and now, with Kamiya and Machine Head Works on board, the stars have aligned.

This is a direct sequel

Given the ambiguity around sequel announcements today, it's reassuring to hear directly from Hirabayashi and Kamiya that this is indeed a true sequel to the original Okami, continuing the story right where it left off. We won't spoil the ending for those yet to play, but rest assured, there's plenty of narrative ground left to explore.

And yes, that is Amaterasu in the trailer

Origin of all that is good and mother to us all.

Okamiden... exists

The Nintendo DS follow-up, Okamiden, certainly has its place and its fans. However, as Hirabayashi acknowledges, "We know that there are fans out there that like the game, of course. And we also know the feedback on the game out there, of how the story was taken and now how perhaps parts of the story weren’t aligning with what people were expecting. With that, we also have the sequel now that, as we explained before, is a continuation from the story of the original base Ōkami. That's how we're going to phrase it."

Okami 2 Game Awards Teaser Screenshots

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Hideki Kamiya reads your social media posts about Okami

It's no surprise that Hideki Kamiya, an active social media user himself, keeps an eye on what fans are saying about Okami. He clarified in our interview that while he pays attention to fan expectations, the team's goal isn't to simply replicate what's requested. "Our work, of course, is not to create the game that people request of us, to create the exact copy of what people want from us," he stated. "But we are working hard to achieve a game that achieves the fun that people are expecting of this Ōkami sequel. I have an idea of what I want to create. And I have no plans of throwing away the user's expectation of the games, but I always want to make the best game possible."

Rei Kondoh composed the song for the Okami sequel trailer at TGAs

Rei Kondoh, the renowned composer behind soundtracks for games like Bayonetta, Dragon's Dogma, and Resident Evil, as well as several tracks for the original Okami, including the iconic "Rising Sun," has confirmed his involvement in the sequel. He arranged "Rising Sun" for the trailer shown at The Game Awards, hinting at his return to compose for the new soundtrack.

The Okami sequel is very, very early in development still

The team announced the Okami sequel early out of enthusiasm but asked fans to remain patient. "Faster isn't always the best," Hirabayashi noted. "We will not give up quality for speed, but do know that we will not drag our feet for this title. It's something that we will put our efforts into." Both Hirabayashi and Sakata indicated that significant time might pass before the next update on the sequel, with Sakata adding, "It might be some time before we get to meet each other again. But do know that this project is made by staff who love this series, still love this IP, and they're working very, very hard to create it. And we're working our hardest to make something that aligns with everyone's expectations."

You can catch up on our full interview with the leads of the Ōkami sequel here.