Okami HD
- December 12, 2017
- CAPCOM Co., Ltd.
- 35h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"Okami HD" is a critically acclaimed action-adventure game featuring a sumi-e ink art style. Players control Amaterasu, a sun goddess in the form of a white wolf, on a mission to defeat the eight-headed demon Orochi and restore the world of Nippon. The game offers the choice between modern widescreen format and the original 4:3 ratio, and includes interactive loading game screens from the initial release.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Xbox
Reviews
- Stunning art style and visuals that have aged beautifully.
- Engaging story with memorable characters and a unique blend of Japanese mythology.
- Innovative gameplay mechanics, particularly the Celestial Brush, which adds depth to combat and exploration.
- Pacing issues with long, unskippable cutscenes and excessive dialogue that can interrupt gameplay.
- Combat can feel repetitive and lacks challenge, making it too easy for experienced players.
- Technical limitations such as being locked at 30 FPS and occasional camera control issues.
- story1,456 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of *Okami* is widely praised for its rich narrative rooted in Japanese mythology, featuring a compelling journey of the sun goddess Amaterasu as she battles evil and restores the land. Players appreciate the blend of humor and emotional depth, with memorable characters and engaging side quests that enhance the overall experience. However, some critiques mention the pacing issues and lengthy dialogue, which can detract from the gameplay for those seeking a more action-oriented experience. Overall, the game's storytelling is considered a standout feature, making it a beloved classic among fans of narrative-driven adventures.
“The story is captivating, not only because of the interesting plot, but because of the diverse and complex characters that move it along while developing with the plot too.”
“Okami is a beautiful game full of adventure, artwork, story, and secrets.”
“The story is profound and rich in Japanese mythology and folklore, giving the game a fascinating cultural depth.”
“I kept skipping through the story to get to gameplay, and then the gameplay wasn't very interesting.”
“The story is fine except for Issun, who takes every moment to repeat the dialogue you just heard.”
“The story, while whimsical at first, will catch you by surprise by the end and certainly make you feel something.”
- graphics1,156 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Okami" are widely praised for their unique and timeless art style, heavily inspired by traditional Japanese sumi-e painting, which allows the game to maintain its visual appeal even years after its original release. While some players note that the game's graphical fidelity shows its age, particularly in higher resolutions, the cel-shaded watercolor aesthetic effectively conceals many imperfections, creating a vibrant and immersive experience. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and a captivating soundtrack contributes to its status as a beloved classic in the gaming community.
“The art style is a true work of art, resembling a living watercolor painting that brings the game world to life.”
“The graphics are stunning; looking like a Japanese painting, with its cel-shaded art style similar to The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker.”
“The visuals are absolutely stunning, and you will never find yourself underwhelmed by them for a second.”
“But the game's graphical datedness is apparent as while its cel-shaded watercolor art style hides some of the rough spots, greater fine detail just looks rough, which becomes more apparent when played in higher resolutions like 1440p or 4k.”
“The only real issue worth looking at is with the graphical settings.”
“The graphics look old, or 'classic' if that's what you're looking for.”
- gameplay919 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Okami* is characterized by its unique celestial brush mechanic, which allows players to interact with the environment and engage in combat through drawing techniques. While many praise the game's artistic style and engaging story, some critiques highlight repetitive combat and pacing issues due to frequent cutscenes and dialogue interruptions. Overall, the gameplay offers a blend of exploration, puzzle-solving, and action reminiscent of classic Zelda titles, though it may feel simplistic or tedious to some players.
“The gameplay leans heavily into exploration and combat, and to complement both of these features is the fantastic celestial brush - a series of techniques that can shape the world and control the elements.”
“With the celestial brush mechanic, you can draw on your screen to impact your surroundings, not just in combat; you can spawn bombs, spawn fire, thunder, make dead trees alive again, and more!”
“The gameplay offers a mixture of exploration, combat, puzzles, and mini-games, all of which incorporate the celestial brush mechanic for a fun and creative experience.”
“The gameplay is the worst part of the game, though this is almost certainly due to the age and the remaster giving the game a more updated look instead of refining the gameplay.”
“I really wanted to like this game because the visuals are stunning regardless of the filter slapped on top but after 2 hours of playing hoping to see the game shine gameplay-wise it failed to do so; gameplay feels repetitive and mind-numbingly easy (mash attack button until enemy becomes weak enough then execute a finisher, rinse and repeat), dialogue boxes are long and slow, annoying sidekick who talks 10 dialogue boxes every time something happens which ultimately is truly a shame because the story had captivated my interest.”
“The drawing mechanics are very awkward to use and often don't quite work right, the combat is very tedious with its own mechanics that don't work well, and the amount of times where you watch a cutscene then walk two steps before being stopped by another cutscene is ridiculous.”
- music692 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in *Okami* is widely praised for its breathtaking quality and its ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, drawing heavily from traditional Japanese instruments and styles. Reviewers frequently describe the soundtrack as a masterpiece, with many tracks evoking strong emotions and perfectly complementing the game's stunning visuals and narrative. Despite some disappointment over the absence of the original ending song "Reset" in newer versions, the overall consensus is that the music remains one of the game's standout features, making it a must-experience for players.
“The music is beautiful and haunting, the characters are full of life and memorable, and the story is astounding.”
“The soundtrack is incredible and never becomes repetitive, the art is breathtaking and adds to the story instead of detracting from it.”
“The music is easily some of the best I've ever heard in a video game; it's grand, bombastic, energetic, and catchy, using real Japanese instruments and percussion intermixed with traditional orchestral instruments.”
“My only gripe is that the original PS2 credit song is not used in this version, which is a real shame.”
“I wish something clear and easy would exist to patch the game to get the original ending song (reset), the remake ending song is just nothing in comparison, it does not give the same feels at all.”
“The music is a joy to hear, when it intends to be.”
- humor183 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky, light-hearted nature, featuring funny NPCs, clever writing, and charming character interactions that often elicit genuine laughter. While some humor may be considered crude or dated, the overall comedic tone is described as whimsical and engaging, effectively balancing moments of levity with deeper emotional themes. Players appreciate the unique art style and the humorous mechanics, such as the ability to bark or engage in slapstick moments, which contribute to the game's delightful charm.
“The art style is unique, the characters are hilarious, and the music is phenomenal!”
“The writing is hilarious and the art style is timeless.”
“The characters are quirky, funny, and well written.”
“That is not funny.”
“The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
“I expected more clever humor, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
- emotional140 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its ability to evoke a range of feelings, from joy and nostalgia to sadness and heartwarming moments. The story, enriched by charming characters and stunning visuals, creates a deeply engaging experience that often leads to tears, particularly during pivotal scenes and the emotional conclusion. Overall, the game is celebrated for its unique blend of humor, heartfelt storytelling, and the profound emotional connections it fosters with players.
“Joy, dread, sadness, anticipation, relief, suspense, all these emotional moments are one of the key aspects of this game.”
“The history and characters, alongside the art style make together a game that's completely charming and emotional; you'll laugh and you'll cry.”
“It's the only game I've ever played that made me cry - nothing else has managed to touch my heart like this game has.”
“I cried.”
“The game left me feeling empty and unfulfilled.”
“I felt no emotional connection to the characters or story.”
- grinding59 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 12 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in the later stages where backtracking and item collection can feel like busy work. While some appreciate the lack of excessive grinding compared to newer titles, others criticize the slow pacing, lengthy dialogues, and frustrating mechanics that contribute to a sense of monotony. Overall, the experience can be rewarding for those who enjoy exploration and completionism, but it often feels bogged down by its retro design and pacing issues.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Please, God, no more! I've been grinding for 12 hours.”
“Pretty much everything else besides the combat is 10/10, but because the combat is bad, exploring, grinding, gathering items, and leveling up feels pretty pointless because it just makes the combat even easier than it already is.”
“The game ends up really grindy in the final third, but the worst part is the camera; it is really frustrating to get the camera control in tight spaces or against boss enemies.”
“You will spend it doing tedious and mind-meltingly boring tasks that make the game feel more like an interactive comic than something with actual gameplay - and that comic tells a story that sucks with characters you will hate and amateurish ugly art.”
- optimization50 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The optimization of Okami's PC port has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate its smooth performance at a capped 30fps, others criticize the lack of significant improvements over the original console versions, citing issues like stuttering and poor graphical settings management. Many users report that the game runs well even on low-end systems, but some experience performance drops and bugs, particularly when using higher settings. Overall, the game is generally playable and visually appealing, but it suffers from limitations typical of console ports, leading to a somewhat inconsistent optimization experience.
“This port is amazingly optimized.”
“The game runs smoothly, and I've beaten the Wii and PS2 versions alike countless times.”
“Performance-wise, 30fps was consistent through the whole experience, even during periods of heavy combat.”
“Don't bother if you actually want to have acceptable performance.”
“The optimization is terrible (lag at medium display settings on a fairly good computer), it leaves fullscreen when you tab out (if it lets you) and then doesn't let you reenter fullscreen unless you quit to the main menu, and fails to recognize controllers about a quarter of the time.”
“The bad: Capcom was a little bit lazy with PC optimization.”
- atmosphere40 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning art style, immersive sound design, and captivating music, which together create a unique and enchanting experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a strong sense of Japanese culture and folklore, making it feel both nostalgic and fresh. Overall, the combination of beautiful visuals, engaging narrative, and atmospheric soundtracks contributes to a memorable and enjoyable adventure.
“The feel and atmosphere of this game is astounding, the artwork is astonishing and its soundtrack beautiful.”
“The music, scenery, and atmosphere are all so beautiful, not to mention the gameplay is incredibly fun.”
“Everything from the waves of flowers to some of the incredible monster designs and locations in the game, they all feel like they've been designed with purpose to fit and theme and create an atmosphere, and it does it very well.”
“The gameplay can at times get a little bogged down in fetch quests and backtracking, but the beauty of the environments and soundtrack creates a truly one of a kind atmosphere, when combined with solid storytelling, makes for an extremely special game.”
“I don't think it detracted from the game or atmosphere that much, but I'd prefer if that stuff wasn't there as it didn't really fit in with the rest of the game's narrative.”
“I think, somehow back then no one truly realized, but from today's perspective, the quality of atmosphere in this game has to be one of the most influential in video game history.”
- replayability36 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players enjoying the engaging story, rich aesthetics, and numerous side quests and collectibles. While some mention that lengthy dialogues and tutorials can detract from the experience, features like New Game+ and various achievements keep players coming back for more. Despite a few criticisms, the consensus is that the game offers a wealth of content and enjoyable gameplay that encourages multiple playthroughs.
“Great story, insane amount of engaging side quests, and pretty good NG+ content for replayability.”
“It's a classic, it's replayable, there's always something new to discover, and there's always another achievement to get.”
“I love this game; not only is it beautiful, but the story is rich, and it has easily 60-70 hours of content, making it extremely replayable.”
“It wasn’t so bad the first time I went through it, but it lowers replayability for sure.”
“Because of the lengthy dialogues, it directly leads to one of the cons - replayability. It exists but it's very tedious. After you finish the game, you can start over from the beginning on the same save file, and all of your weapons, coins, and inventory items carry over to the new start. However, you also get all of the tutorials again.”
“Replay value is pretty low.”
- stability24 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant bugs, freezing issues, and graphical glitches that can hinder gameplay, particularly after the lengthy unskippable introduction. However, others report that the game runs well on various platforms, including PC and Steam Deck, with only minor issues. Overall, while some users find it nearly unplayable due to these problems, others enjoy a relatively smooth experience, suggesting that performance may vary based on individual setups.
“Runs great on PC.”
“I played this game back in 2006 for the PS2, then later for the Wii, and later the HD version on the PS3 (which was in 2012). I had purchased this game on Steam when it first got ported to PC but finally decided to try playing it again when I learned it was compatible on my Steam Deck, and it felt like the perfect offline game to get some hours in (it runs great, by the way).”
“Despite being capped at 30fps, the game still looks and runs great.”
“Buggy mess that freezes all the time, horridly made mini-games, unskippable cutscenes.”
“Considering the game freezes just after the long introduction, which is completely unskippable and full of 'press X to continue' moments, I could only retry a few times with different settings before my patience wore out and I refunded the game.”
“Buggy to the point of being unplayable.”
- character development22 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised, with reviewers noting the depth and intricacy of individual characters and their stories, which are woven seamlessly into the gameplay and world-building. The unique and appealing character designs complement the engaging narrative, showcasing a blend of traditional folklore and modern storytelling. Overall, the game's art direction and character development contribute significantly to its immersive experience, making it a standout in the action/adventure genre.
“You can feel the time and love that was put into this game; it oozes from the little details and easter eggs found in both the setting and character design.”
“Overall, Okami's world-building and character development are surprisingly strong for a standalone action/adventure game.”
“You meet a lot of interesting characters and villains in a wide variety of locations, many of which have their own mini-stories that are resolved as part of their area of the game, including decent character development for most of them.”
“Overall, Okami's world-building and character development are surprisingly strong for a standalone action/adventure game.”
“You meet a lot of interesting characters and villains, in a wide variety of locations, many of which have their own mini story going on that is resolved as part of their area of the game; these include decent character development for most of them as well.”
“The original game had an amazing soundtrack, a great sumi-e style graphic style, and charming and witty plot filled with traditional Japanese folklore, humor, and detailed natural-feeling character development.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received criticism for being perceived as a cash grab by Capcom, despite the game's quality and lack of microtransactions. Reviewers express disappointment that the game, which could have thrived on its merits, is marred by poor advertising and functionality issues.
“This game is the embodiment of all the good games from before, with no microtransactions and a plug-and-play experience.”
“The monetization model is fair and transparent, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend money.”
“I appreciate that the game offers plenty of content without requiring additional purchases, making it accessible for everyone.”
“What a bloody shame that Capcom thought it was worth making another cash grab off this title, but didn't care to make a genuine attempt at making it actually function properly.”
“When a great game releases with no fanfare or popularity, it's a damn shame that comes down to a lot of unfortunate factors, like bad timing or bad advertising, and I get that.”
“I only have two complaints: the UI could use some refining, and anything released in 2018 and advertised in HD should come with a 4K resolution option.”
