Okami

Okami, I would consider this a gaming classic without a doubt. The combat system, the brush techniques, the art style, the story, the different weapons and combinations therein create a rich experience. Anyone who enjoys the Zelda series will undoubtedly love this game.

I spent a lot of time with my PS2 over the years. There were many great games--the GTA series, Shadow of the Colossus, God of War...but Okami stands out as not only a game, but a work of art with a compelling story and a protagonist for whom one howls in admiration. The base game certainly resembles Zelda offerings of yore (landscapes to explore, people to talk to, items to discover, and boss battles to overcome), but the meta-game involves the use of "Celestial Brush" techniques--used to alter combat physics and environmental factors. When my grandkids root through my cardboard storage boxes 50 years from now and come upon my dusty PS2, jump up and down, ask how it works and what they should play...I'll be cleaning off the ol' Okami disc and popping it in, reliving my youth and basking once again in the creativity, artistry, and pure fun factor brought to you by Clover studios.

I must honestly say that is game is not only ridiculously fun and addictive, but also a beautiful work of art. The strong stylization and resemblance to Japanese ink paintings gives the game a unique appearance, and still remains easy on the eyes with a warm and vivid colour palette. Making trees bloom and flowers grow behind your every step as you speed up is strangely rewarding. The game is very much Japanese, steeped in its mythologies and quirks, but not so inaccessible that a North American player could not connect with it.

The voices need no re-dubbing because all of the speech is in a strange, scrambled dialogue that mimics human speech. While it COULD have become annoying, the voices were very well handled and remain amusing. Another point for the creativity of Clover Studios.

The game presents a good balance between serious storyline and humor, never letting the darker points of the story overwhelm its lighthearted nature. And that the wolf is, in fact, female is refreshing from all the boy-centered video games out there. Although, Amaterasu is hilariously canine to the Holy Bone.

The celestial brush technique used for the fighting is very simple to master, and remains entertaining with every new brushstroke learned. As you go into the drawing screen, pay attention to how the entire scene turns into an ink painting. It is awe-inspiring how they could authentically recreate that for every single fight scene.

The game play is unique, the characters likeable and amusing, and every nook and cranny of the game world is filled with so much love and attention to detail that it warms my heart.

All in all? I would buy this game. I would even buy the strategy guide for this game. New. Clover Studios deserves every penny they get for this work of genius.