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The Ōkami sequel was one of many surprises revealed in The Game Awards 2024 show, and it has sparked a lot of hype and speculation.
The original Ōkami game was first released on April 20, 2006, for the PlayStation 2. The long-awaited sequel is finally making its return, with original game director Hideki Kamiya back at the helm.
An expected Ōkami 2 release date has yet to be announced, but we can speculate based on the game’s previous release. Here’s everything we know about the freshly announced Okami sequel.
Key Takeaways
- Ōkami is a classic Japanese action-adventure game beloved for its cel-shading graphical style.
- The Ōkami sequel was revealed in The Game Awards 2024 show.
- Hideki Kamiya, the original Ōkami’s game director, will lead the sequel’s development.
- The game is likely very early in development, and we predict it will launch sometime in 2027 to 2028.
- The original Ōkami was released on April 20, 2006, in Japan for the PlayStation 2.
What Is the Ōkami Sequel?
The Ōkami sequel was announced to the world through a cinematic teaser trailer that debuted on The Game Awards 2024 show.
It has been nearly two decades since the original Ōkami game was released back in 2006. Set in classical Japan, the game follows Amaterasu, the Shinto sun goddess, who takes the form of a white wolf. Using a magical Celestial Brush, Amaterasu restores life to a world corrupted by darkness.
The original Ōkami stood out from the rest due to its unique approach to cel-shaded graphics. The game almost had a watercolor appearance to it, like a painting brought to life. In fact, the game itself takes heavy inspiration from a classic Japanese painting style called Sumi-e.
Players use the Celestial Brush to draw symbols that manipulate the environment, solve challenges, and battle enemies. The story draws heavily from Japanese mythology and folklore, offering an underrated yet critically acclaimed experience unlike any other.
It’s no wonder then that so many fans were excited to see a new entry to a franchise long thought to be forgotten. How the Ōkami sequel will improve on the original and live up to modern expectations is yet to be seen.
Expected Ōkami Sequel Release Date
According to an interview with IGN, the game’s director, Kamiya Hideki, split from PlatinumGames, on October 12, 2023. He was then placed in a year-long non-compete before finally joining Clover Studio as a studio head.
Based on this, we can expect that the studio only recently acquired the publication deal with Capcom, and the Ōkami sequel was greenlit for development.
The following statement made by Kamiya on the official Ōkami X account insinuates that the game is still very early in development.
The studio is still fairly small, with only 20 employees as of the time of writing this article, but Clovers has expressed that it is seeking to expand and is interested in developing original IPs.
Based on all of this, it is unlikely that we will see Ōkami any time soon. The development of the original Ōkami took approximately three years, starting in 2003 and culminating in its release for the PlayStation 2 in 2006.
The game was created by Clover Studio, with Hideki Kamiya serving as director. If history is to repeat itself, then it is likely we will see Ōkami as early as 2027 if all goes to plan.
This is merely speculation, and it is possible we may see the game at a later date. Particularly if the game strives to be bigger and better than the original.
Expected Ōkami Sequel Price
It is currently unknown what the Ōkami sequel price could be or when pre-orders could go live, but we can speculate based on the previous game’s release.
The original Ōkami for PlayStation 2 was priced at $39.99 at launch in North America, which was considered a full-price game at the time.
Given the rising costs of development and the current pattern of inflation, it is likely the Ōkami sequel will be more expensive at around $69.99 (the industry standard) at most if it is treated as a AAA title. Given the current size of Clovers Studio, it is not entirely clear if that will be the case.
Players should also take into consideration the rising popularity of subscription services. Although not confirmed, it is possible the game will become available on either PlayStation Plus or Game Pass. We will keep you updated as more information surfaces.
Expected Ōkami Sequel Platforms
The platforms that will be available for the Ōkami sequel have not been confirmed, simply because we do not know what the console market will look like by the time the game is released.
The original Ōkami was released as a PS2 exclusive. However, after the sales numbers were below average, the game eventually came to the Wii in 2008. The HD remaster would then become available on all available platforms at the time, including PS3/PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Given the previous game’s history, it is possible that the game may launch as a PlayStation-exclusive title should a deal come into place. However, Capcom may want to avoid repeating history too closely and instead opt for a multi-platform release.
Considering the game’s early development status, it is likely it will come to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (if it is multiplatform); however, by the time of its release, we could see the unveiling of the PS6, Xbox successor and speculated Nintendo Switch 2. It’s simply too early to tell at this point, and while it is tempting to dive into supposed “leaks”, we recommend tempering expectations for now and waiting for official statements.
Neither Clover Studio nor Capcom have shared their release plans for consoles, but we will keep you updated as more information is released.
Ōkami Sequel Trailer
It isn’t much of an Okami sequel trailer, but The Game Awards 2024 saw the official unveiling of the title card, complete with a brief cinematic in the style of the first game.
In 68 seconds, we see the wolf running through an ink-brushed forest, which dissolves into a beautiful watercolor as the scene brightens up. The closing moments see the script for Okami written in Japanese with a calligraphy pen before it’s announced to be the Okami sequel, with the first game’s director, Hideki Kamiya, back on board. Kamiya had previously directed Bayonetta, Devil May Cry, Resident Evil 2, and The Wonderful 101.
The Bottom Line
The stars have aligned for the Ōkami sequel, created by the same studio and led by its original director. We hope that history won’t exactly play out the same and that the title will see much more success and innovative features this time around.
A release date has yet to be confirmed, but based on recent comments made by Hideki Kamiya, fans may have to wait a while yet to see the game come to fruition. We’ve waited for nearly two decades; what about a couple more years?
Information is scarce at this time, but we will be sure to keep you updated as more Ōkami sequel news comes to light.
