Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsOne of the best games ever made
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2017
This will be the best $20 you've spent on a game. For those unfamiliar with Okami, it is a Zelda-like game set in a Japanese folklore-inspired world that originally released for the PS2, was later remastered for the PS3, and this game is that same HD remaster adapted for the PS4.
This is the only game that I have played again and again, and bought for every platform it has been available on.
You play as the goddess Amaterasu, in wolf form. She is a silent protagonist well complemented by her traveling companion Issun, who does most of the talking and provides comic relief.
The graphics are beautiful and timeless, and resemble watercolor art. However, the game is much more than art - it also features a great story and mechanics that take a page from Zelda's book, including open world areas, dungeons, puzzles, secrets, platforming elements, and interesting side quests. The puzzles are not overbearing and are easier than those found in most Zelda games. They're still quite varied.
Most importantly, the game is very fun to play.
As the protagonist, you're able to alter the world and defeat monsters using an arsenal of brush techniques. These techniques are executed by drawing on the screen. In most cases, the game remains paused while you do this, allowing you to take your time. In a few cases, you're working on a time limit but the game allows you to retry if you end up failing. The battles take place real time but can once again be paused when you draw with your brush. The monsters, also inspired by Japanese folklore, are quite varied and original, at least to a Western audience.
Monsters appear in the world (i.e., there are no random encounters) and, other than those required for story progression, it is up to you whether to fight them or not. Early on in the game, you can also obtain an item to keep them at bay so that they do not attack you automatically. Finally, each monster type has a particular weak point you can figure out and exploit to receive bonuses, making combat more interesting. You also have a few types of weapons to choose from, and equip as either main and sub weapons for different effects and play styles. Most combat and brush techniques also have upgrades to be discovered.
Throughout, attention to detail is staggering, and I think you'll encounter some of the most beautiful scenes ever encountered in a video game.
That said, the game is not without its problems, though they're minor. First, the default camera settings are terrible. Unlike one reviewer below claimed, yes, they can be easily changed. Do yourself a favor and set the camera to the invert both X-and-Y setting to have it behave as expected. You also have the option to invert only X, or only Y. You can do this in game, from the outset, by pressing the left side of the pad on the controller.
Second, the camera rotation speed is a little slow for my tastes, unless you pull the controller stick all the way, and unfortunately, this can't be adjusted. The good news is, the camera does a great job of following you around and positioning, so this is a relatively minor issue. It behaves like a good camera should and remains unobtrusive.
Finally, I do find the game too easy, and it could have benefited from a difficulty setting. In addition, without spoiling, for some of the optional side quest content, combat does go from too easy to frustrating, mainly due to the amount of health the monsters you'll face have. This can be mitigated to an extent, especially if you take the time to develop your character, but I wish it had been addressed between releases of the game.
