December 23, 2006

Okami undoubtedly is the most original and unique games I have ever played on the PlayStation 2 (PS2). It is developed by Clover Studios. This game will take you on a journey full of action and adventure unlike any other.

It is based on a Japanese folklore. The game starts by telling a century old event, in which a wolf and a courageous man named Nagi defeat an eight-headed beast called Orochi and saved the world.

After defeating Orochi, the man became a hero and the wolf disappeared. Thus, people remembered the wolf only as a statue which they made in its honour. Now a mysterious character releases Orochi again, unleashing Orochi’s curse on land. In the midst of all the chaos and destruction, the wolf is recalled by forces of nature to save the world once again. So, you play as the wolf which isn’t an ordinary animal. In fact, it is a goddess who has taken the form of a wolf and is empowered with unique qualities to help in accomplishing the mission. The curse and return of Orochi has turned the fertile land into a barren and gloomy region. There are no animals and birds, even all the vegetation has dried out and only monsters are seen to be roaming around. So the first task is to restore the land to its former glory by using celestial brush, which is amazing.

During the game if you press R1 button anytime your character will transform into a drawing mode of all sorts, in which a brush appears and the game pauses. And by pressing the square button and using the right analogue stick, you can even paint by using any of the paint brush techniques.

The game has a total of 13 paint brush techniques, each having a distinct quality and purpose. For example, the rejuvenation technique reconstructs broken bridges and buildings, while bloom brings dead trees and plants back to life. Although you can enter in to drawing mode at any time, these skills will only be effective if they are used where they are actually required. For example, the inferno which gives the ability to control fire and will only work when there is something which needs to be burnt. This goes on with water as well. All the 13 abilities are quite different from each other so by the end of game, you will have abilities to change night into day, creating lilies on water, swinging from vines and vice versa. But with restoring the beauty of world, you will also encounter various enemies. These enemies often require different strategies to defeat them. Besides regular enemies, you will come across with occasional boss fight, which are quite dissimilar in the design and requires a different technique to beat them. But fortunately they are neither difficult nor overwhelming to deal with though they fight very well.

The most interesting part of any game is when you are equipped with weapons; here you have two weapons to fight with your foe. One of which is major and the other is used as a sub-weapon. The finest thing about weapons is that their function changes depending on your using it as a major or sub-weapon. For instance, the weapon which slices and dices enemies when equipped as a major it will change into a shield if equipped as a sub-weapon. Since you are empowered you can even feed the animals coming across your way and can also help people. Other characters will ask to get them a particular item or for restoring something among other.

This will earn you praise, it is something which gives more power to other items. It can be used to increase health as well as increasing the number of ink pots that you have. After all, the celestial brush will require ink to work won’t it? Or even can increase the size of the pouch to hold a large sum of money in to it. Money can also be earned when enemies are defeated, by breaking objects and selling treasures to the merchants. Items such as defence and attack power-ups, weapons, health restoring bones, animal fodder, etc., all are up for sale and can easily be purchased. That’s not all; you can visit a dojo, learn new moves and catch fish. Or can and collect beads that have been scattered all over the land to earn a special reward. There are 99 of these beads. Also try and find hidden clover studios and restore them to earn additional praise. Whatever you choose to do, you won’t find this game short of content to keep you entertained.

Graphically, Okami is one of the most beautiful games on the PS2. The game uses cell-shading technology like other games such as the Viewtiful Joe series which gives a comic book effect. Enemies as well as friends all are drawn using bright and light colours which are quite pleasant in look. Characters animate vividly and when the land is restore it is more vibrant and full of life in which river start flowing, flowers begin to bloom and the whole landscape turns from dull to bright colours. The effects after restoration, will probably grab the mind just to plunge in the scenery for while. The game is heavily inspired by the Japanese culture. Thus, the architecture, characters and costume are all Japanese.

Furthermore, the sound of the game is superb which tends to change according to the situation at hand whether you are engage in a battle or in a comic scene. However, the most annoying part the lip syncs. All characters mumble in their own distinct style. Though it is something new, but it’s quite irritating. If you come across a situation where a long conversation between several characters it becomes extremely frustrating to listen. The game becomes quite humorous at these times and it would have been nice to have the characters voice over these situations rather than a mumble. With so much to do in the game, Okami will take you about 10 to 15 hours to finish the first time around.

Finally, with the PS2 almost at the end of its life, it is great to see such an interesting and refreshing title. So if you want to try something different, grab a copy of Okami you will have a wonderful experience.

The writer is a student and an avid gamer sohailrulz30@yahoo.com