The demo starts with the latest TGS trailer, but then moves into what looks like the actual intro of the game. Once the beautifully artistic looking cinematics are over you’re presented with 2 options. The lower option jumps straight into the game proper, while the top starts you off in a tutorial. You begin at the foot of a tree, as you walk into the blinding light at the base you’re transported to the tutorial world. Here you get your first chance to control Amaterasu. The stick moves him, with 3 different speeds of running available X jumps, Triangle digs while Circle interacts with people/objects. The Square button handles your attacking which I will come to later. As you move through the almost dream-like world you learn your first ability which is how to jump up walls. It’s simple stuff, a swift double tap sees the wolf scale high platforms with ease.
Why can’t all games look this good?
You then come to a broken bridge where your most important power is demonstrated – painting. By holding the R1 button, the screen you were once looking at becomes a canvas in an instant. Using the stick you can now physically ‘paint’ onto the surrounding environment. By splashing ink onto the broken bridge it’ll magically appear undamaged within seconds. Continue further and you’ll be cutting wooden bars, drawing in a sword on a broken statue and even painting in star constellations in the sky, all with the power of the paintbrush.
Painting can also be use in fighting. Not only can you use dash attacks via the square button, you can actually cut weakened enemies by drawing a quick slashes with the brush. Aside from a few combos that come from random button bashing, the combat in the demo seems a bit simple at the moment, but from looking at the numerous trailers over the past year or so, it’s obvious there’s more you will be able to do in the final game. Upon exiting the tutorial you end up back at the tree. Here you can use your newly acquired panting skills to cut down an ominous looking fruit from its branches. On doing so the world explodes with dazzling colour and brightness as life returns to the surrounding environment.
The transition from day to night in Okami is stunning.
The game now has a Zelda-like feel to it. There’s a village to explore filled with people each with their own problem to solve. Here you learn further ways to use your brush. Fixing a broken water wheel, creating a washing line for an old woman to try her clothes, the possibilities for some clever puzzles in the full game are mouthwatering. There are also some tricks you can perform with the brush. For instance, drawing a circle in the sky will turn night to day, painting around a dead tree will bring it to life and making a loop in the water creates lillypads for you to stand on.
Graphically the game is in a league of its own. It looks utterly unique and is consistently beautiful throughout the demo. The vivid colours, the striking art style and the creative game world make it hard to believe this is running on a PS2. The animation on the wolf never fails to impress. He runs with elegance, leaps without fear and, should you leave him for a few seconds, licks his paws and curls up to sleep. He’s full of character and you can’t help adore the way he digs the ground or barks to passers by. The sound matches the quality set by the visuals too. The music provides the perfect backdrop and fits the mood well.
There are a few issues with slowdown, especially when day is slowly turning to night (oh, did I forget to mention that? Words don’t do it justice, believe me), but it is a demo so it is to be expected. Besides, Okami is still a fair few months away yet, 2006 is the only date Capcom have given, either way be prepared for a long wait.
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