Capcom’s Okami is a game likely to receive both high amounts of praise for its originality and criticism for its unoriginal borrowing of gameplay from others. Sound strange? Well, see the problem is that for everything Okami does to make it an incredible game and one of the most masterful experiences in years, at its core Okami is the PS2 (or Capcom) version of Zelda. Due to this, people are going to go into the game with higher expectations since it’s being compared to one of the greatest game series there is, and on top of that people will be disappointed when Okami ‘doesn’t’ follow the rules that Zelda has set up. Yet on the other hand, those who do away with the comparison and simply enjoy the fact that they will be getting two games this year based on an extremely enjoyable formula will have an excellent time with Okami.

From the moment you hold the box in your hand, you can tell that Okami is a game crafted with love. From the cover which features a gorgeous illustration by famed painter Kimura Keigo, to the manual that’s printed on rice paper, Okami manages to radiate with a feeling of nature, and the beauty of the natural world. But then once the game starts it only gets better.

Okami opens with a fairy tale told through stylish 2d paintings and text depicting the story of a demon and its destruction bringing the world to eventual peace. It sets the mood for the journey: an old fairy tale Japanese-style world reminiscent of old paintings from the country. After this six minute tale of lore concludes, when players first gain control of the Japanese sun goddess Amaterasu in wolf appearance...otherwise known as Okami (a play on words meaning both wolf and great god.), it becomes very apparent that Okami is like nothing else out there.

Though some could say Okami’s cell-shaded look borrows from 2002’s Wind Waker the resemblance is minor at best. Okami uses a method that makes the entire game seem as if it was crafted out of rice paper, yet it’s very three dimensional and alive. It’s a stunning visual effect and combined with the incredible art found in the game creates a world that previously could only be seen in dreams. Everything from the clouds, to the wind, to the water and fire, to the people and their reactions just looks prefect. Stepping into a new location in the game tends to present imagery that sends jaws to the floor and really makes you appreciate what director Hideki Kamiya (RE2, DMC, VJ) has been doing these last few years. Okami is one of those games that illustrate the point of how much more important art is in regards to visuals than pure tech. numbers and powers, and it’s a fitting time to remind ourselves of that now as we enter a new generation.