Ōkami 2 Confirmed for RE Engine

Following the exciting Ōkami sequel announcement at The Game Awards, fan speculation immediately centered on Capcom's RE Engine powering the game, given their return as publisher. IGN can exclusively confirm this, based on interviews with key project leads.

In an extensive interview, Machine Head Works producer Kiyohiko Sakata confirmed the use of RE Engine. Regarding Machine Head Works' role, Sakata explained their function as a bridge between Capcom (IP holder and director of the game's overall vision) and Clover (lead developer). Machine Head Works' experience working with Capcom and Hideki Kamiya, along with their familiarity with RE Engine, provides crucial support to Clover, who lacked prior experience with the engine. Furthermore, Machine Head Works also includes personnel with experience on the original Ōkami, further bolstering development.

When asked about RE Engine's appeal and its unique benefits for an Ōkami sequel, Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi simply responded, "Yes," elaborating that Capcom believes Kamiya's artistic vision wouldn't be achievable without it. Kamiya himself added that RE Engine's renowned expressive capabilities align perfectly with fan expectations for the sequel's visual quality.

Sakata further hinted at RE Engine's potential to realize aspects of the original Ōkami's vision that were previously technically infeasible. He stated that current technology, particularly with RE Engine, allows them to achieve their original goals and even surpass them.

RE Engine, or Reach for the Moon Engine, Capcom's proprietary engine initially developed for Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, has since powered many major Capcom titles, including the Resident Evil series, Monster Hunter, Street Fighter, and Dragon's Dogma. While most RE Engine games feature a realistic art style, its application to Ōkami's distinctive aesthetic presents exciting possibilities. Capcom's development of a successor engine, REX, with gradual integration into RE Engine, suggests that some REX elements might also appear in the Ōkami sequel.

For a complete overview of our interview with the Ōkami sequel's development leads, including a full Q&A, please see the link provided.