okami
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WRUP: Oh gee, we wonder edition
For most of you, the standout title this week is likely to be Okami. Hey, it's the same for us, too! In fact, we're prepared to say that Okami is the best game we never played! Of course, that's not to say that Okami is the only game that the lot of you will be checking out this week. Several other titles were also available for those of you looking to get into something new.Will you be picking up Okami? Or are you checking out something else this weekend?%Gallery-16485%
Capcom thanks fans for buying Okami
If you've preordered Okami (from the Capcom Store, that is), Capcom has gone out of its way to reward your loyalty. You can expect some goodies in the mail soon (you lucky dogs), including a thank-you card embedded with seeds. That means you can either save the card in a shoebox full of mementos from your fondest Capcom memories (with "Mr." or "Mrs. Capcom" written on the lid), or actually plant the card and watch it grow.You will have something nice to save though -- mainly, the sweet Amaterasu postage stamp on the envelope. Lastly, the company will also be sending you a coupon code for free shipping on a future purchase. Well done, Capcom! What a great way to show appreciation for your fans.[Via Kotaku]
Metareview: Okami
The beautiful, imaginative Okami was perhaps one of the most-requested ports among Wii fans, and at last we're going to get a chance to get our hands on it. From the early reviews, it looks like it has been worth the wait ... though, surprisingly, the title's lowest score (by far) to date has come from Nintendo Power. As far as everyone else is concerned, Okami seems to be a smashing success.Electronic Gaming Monthly: 94% -- EGM found the Okami port flawed, but worth every moment of the imperfect journey. "Okami's paintbrush-on-canvas mechanics that drive combat and interaction with the world seem perfectly suited to the Wii Remote but simply aren't reliably precise ... Still, it's one of the few games that can overcome shaky fundamentals in light of an astonishingly engaging adventure. Easily my (Nick Suttner) favorite Wii game."Nintendo Power: 75% -- When Nintendo Power recommends the PS2 version of your port, there may be a problem. "Quite simply, the controls just didn't make the jump to Wii as well as they shold have ... Okami is a work of genius, but you should play the original game instead of the Wii version if you can."IGN: 90% -- Matt Casamassina enjoyed the controls, and the port itself, even more* than the original -- which was 2006's Game of the Year at IGN. "Now, you can play the game in 480p and 16:9 widescreen, and you can do so using the Wii remote, which controls Amaterasu's celestial brush with a level of speed and accuracy never before possible. It's implemented so triumphantly that it actually changes the pace of the game, effectively speeding everything up ... Okami's strengths on Wii far outweigh any of its weaknesses. Wii owners can pick the game up for only $39.99 and those who do will be walking away with an outstanding title full of great adventure of a caliber typically reserved for titles starring Link and Zelda. I still think Twilight Princess is Wii's best adventure, but Okami is more than a worthy alternative. Support this game -- it deserves nothing less than your full attention."*Note that despite liking the Wii version more, Casamassina scored this Okami lower due to the time that has lapsed since the original, and due to unchanged and unfixed issues.%Gallery-16485%
Wii releases for the week of April 14th
Why, is that ... ? My goodness, it is! Okami finally releases this week! And despite a questionable ad campaign, we think it should be a big hit with Wii owners. Of course, should you (for some reason) not be down, there's always a little taste of the sports of summer. Or one of the other games on offer.This week's Wii releases are: Okami Summer Sports: Paradise Island Emergency Mayhem Dream Pinball 3D %Gallery-16485%
Chance meeting at Game Developers Conference led to Okami Wii
Our waggle-loving friends at Nintendo Wii Fanboy had a chance to sit down with Didier Malenfant, Ready at Dawn's president and co-founder, to talk about the developer's port of Okami for Wii (also dubbed "Okam-Wii"). Malenfant talked about, among other parts of the porting process, the origins of the project -- turns out it was a chance meeting with Capcom's Christian Svensson at a Game Developers Conference party. Behold the power of an industry-wide networking opportunity, folks.
Wii Fanboy interview: Ready at Dawn's Didier Malenfant on Okami
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/Ready_at_Dawn_talks_Wii_Okami'; Complaining about ports has become increasingly common amongst Wii owners, but few would have anything bad to say about Okami, which will complete its transition from PlayStation 2 to Wii next week when it launches in the U.S.If anything, Okami is the perfect example of how porting games can be a force for good. One of the most notable critical darlings of the last few years, sales of the title were sluggish on Sony's platform, yet its appearance on Nintendo's console will give it another opportunity to attain commercial success. We can't think of many other games that are so deserving of a second chance.Recently, Wii Fanboy got a chance to chat with Didier Malenfant, President and co-founder of developer Ready at Dawn, who filled us in on why those who played the PS2 version should return to the Wii edition, on how his company ended up working on the project, and on the future of lengthy adventure games.%Gallery-16485%
Okami advertisement pokes fun at itself
It's no secret that Okami's sales on the PS2 weren't too great, despite the fact that the game was hailed by critics and gamers alike. Some companies might be touchy about things like that, but not Capcom. Even though the gem they published sold a lot less copies than it deserved to, Capcom at least has a sense of humor about the whole thing, as the ad to the right shows us. Hailing Okami as "the best game you've never played" is one of the funniest Wii ads we've seen, in fact. Way to go, Capcom -- that's what we call good marketing.
Immerse yourself in the art of Okami
If there's one thing to be said about Okami, it's that the game is stunningly beautiful. The cel-shaded characters and environments evoke a lovely, traditional feel that would be soothing if it wasn't quite so incredibly kick ass. If Capcom's new Okami art site is any indication, it's also incredibly inspirational, because there's a section dedicated to fan art, as well as a number of official pieces. And if you're interested in brushing up your desktop, there are several gorgeous wallpapers, available in sizes to suit even the biggest desktops. We've got previews tucked away in our gallery below.If the web site isn't enough to fulfill all your visual Okami needs, you can order the official art book for $39.99. That only seems like a lot until you get a peek at the package.%Gallery-16485%
More like Whoa-kami
Capcom has made another set of lush, gorgeous Okami concept art available, and again we're awestruck by the beauty of the game's design. Stuff like this is how we always imagine "next generation" games to look, rather than the shinier, browner look new games are going for now. Even though we had plenty of time to gawk at Okami back on the PS2, we're still amazed by it now.The latest set of art displays Okami's beautiful environments, which put the backdrops in games that are not Okami to shame. If these don't make you want to play the game, then you have probably just completed Okami within the last day or so.%Gallery-16485%
Okami artwork descends from the heavens
Or from Capcom's servers -- we get them confused. We've been blessed with the gift of a ton of gorgeous watercolor-style Okami character art, most of which features the wolf/goddess Amaterasu in various forms or with divine weapons. It is almost guaranteed that you'll find something in the set that you'll want to use as a desktop wallpaper.Looking at all this amazing art -- to which the game's visuals hold up pretty well -- just reminds us of what a shame it was that Okami didn't sell, and what a shame it will be if it doesn't sell again. Maybe it'll do better now that it doesn't have to compete with Zelda. %Gallery-16485%[Via press release]
Okami shots pounce, leave us stunned
Capcom's press site just yielded 64 dazzling screens of Okami, showing off the PS2-to-Wii port in its full, 480p glory. Admittedly, it's not looking wildly different from the PlayStation 2 version -- this is, after all, a Capcom port -- but the Clover Studio original was such a striking game that we care not a jot. You owe it to yourselves to browse the gallery below, and for heaven's sake, if you haven't already, check out the game in motion and prepare to gasp.%Gallery-16485%[Via press release]
Okami keeps us hungry like the wolf for three more weeks
Unless you have a PlayStation 2, you're going to have to be patient. Ready at Dawn's highly-anticipated Wii port of Okami has been delayed from its original March 25th release date to April 15th. Gamespot, who received confirmation of the delay from Capcom, conjectures that some of Ready at Dawn's resources were shifted to expedite the release of the PSP God of War game.It could also be the case that Wii game publishers are quickly backing out of their March release dates, waiting out the coming Wii megaton instead of sending their games out to die. It's probably good strategy, although people who don't like fighting games are going to feel pretty unloved.%Gallery-16485%
Okami Wii-treats to April 15
Initially "driving towards" a March 25th release,Clover Studios' swan song, Okami, is now set to arrive a few weeks later. Gamespot conveys Capcom's official release date of April 15, allowing Okami a bit of extra breathing room between it and mega-title Brawl. Capcom didn't give an explanation for the "delay," but it's worth noting that Wii port developer Ready at Dawn just had its hands full getting God of War: Chains of Olympus out the door. So, go ahead and make the Wii version of Okami a Tax Day present to yourself -- you deserve it. %Gallery-16455%
GDC08: Okami on Wii looks great in 480p
For those of you looking forward to the Okami installment on Wii (see: the entire Wii Fanboy staff), then you'll want to feast your eyes on these beautiful direct-feed shots of the game being run in 480p. After going through and checking them out for ourselves, we're dying to get our hands on the game. Check out the gallery below. We're sure you'll think the same thing after giving them a good look. Gallery: Okami (Wii)
Okami videos will brighten your day
For those of you who didn't get to fall in love with Okami the first time around, March 25th is slowly approaching. On that day, you'll have the chance to find out what all the buzz is about, or perhaps revisit the title with different (and more appropriate) controls. Check out the Wii gameplay video above to get a glimpse of the timelessly beautiful Okami, and to see what's in store for Wii owners. There's also another video posted after the break, in case you find yourselves wanting more.
GDC08: Okami -- wider is better
Click for full resolution image, in all of its 480p glory. Ready at Dawn's upcoming Wii port of Okami is gaining some weight. It's wider than its PS2 predecessor, and filled with so many p's. 480 of them, in fact. Wii owners with progressive cables will definitely want to check out these first direct-feed images from the upcoming port. The PS2 version was already stunning, but having these extra pixels should make it look even more vivid than before. Okami is due out March 25. %Gallery-16455%
Capcom Store offering tiny Okami screens
These thumbnail-size screens are the first we've seen of the actual Wii version of Okami. It looks, for better or worse, just like Okami! There are no obvious graphical improvements, and in fact nothing seems to have changed at all except for the button icons. Oh, and the aspect ratio.These screens don't show the widescreen display option available in Wii Okami. In fact, not only are they 4:3, they're 4:3 with vertical bars. In terms of actual stuff, then, these particular screens come out to like 1.2:1. Capcom confirmed to Kotaku that the game would have 16:9 widescreen capabilities, so these screens may not represent the final product. Enjoy your eyestrain! We did.
Okami Wii shines with new widescreen, progressive scan support
Contrary to what has previously been stated, the Nintendo Wii port of Okami will have some extra frills. A listing on Capcom's website reveals that Clover Studio's masterpiece will now support widescreen (16:9) and 480p progressive scan support. That should give you more than enough reason to finally splurge on some Wii component cables. Developer Ready at Dawn, who is responsible for the port, had previously said the game would be an "exact port" with only Wii remote support added during brush stroke moments. While this isn't new content, the technical improvement is a welcome addition to this visually stunning title. Okam-Wii (not an official title) is due out March 25.
Capcom brags up Okami's Wii controls, teases at follow-up
Christian Svensson, Capcom's VP of Strategic Planning and Business Development, recently answered a few questions fans had for the upcoming Wii release of Okami. According to his report, preview copies of the game are being sent to media outlets this week, so it won't be long before we hear hands-on impressions for the PS2-to-Wii port!While Christian warns gamers not to expect any new content or a special edition release, he makes sure to remind us why we wanted the game brought to the the Wii in the first place: "It takes about 10 minutes to get used to using the Wii drawing, but once you do, it's effortless and fast as compared to the PS2 version. The act of physically drawing also has an amazing feel to it and really changes the pace/feel of the game."As if that wasn't enough to sell the game to anxious fans of the ARPG, he went on to add, "We have reasonable but modest expectations for the title ... If it happens to "destroy" said expectations, I'd definitely think hard about new content." It's a difficult promise to keep considering the current status of developer Clover, but stranger things have happened![Via Nintendic]
Did Okami out-Zelda Twilight Princess?
In an effort to bait Nintendo fans generate interest in Ready at Dawn's upcoming Okami port, CVG has posted an article suggesting that Okami is a better Wii-ported 3D action-adventure game than Zelda: Twilight Princess. For mostly superficial reasons. Specifically, the swirling, watercolor-like art style, exploding with color in every screen. CVG's contention is that simply exploring the world of Okami is more fun than the "mature" brown Hyrule in part because it's more interesting to look at. In addition, the paintbrush interaction with the world (and its inhabitants) makes Nippon more engaging than Hyrule.They break their comparisons down into a five-point list of aspects like "Support" (Midna vs. Issun) and "Main Character" (hilarious description: " No contest. Ameratsu has a mischievous charm betraying her position as a goddess. Link just rolls around shouting 'Huh?'") and in the end Okami just barely wins this arbitrary game by one point. But before you get all huffy about somebody saying that something is better in some way than Zelda: the point isn't exactly that someone considers Okami better than Twilight Princess. That such a comparison is even conceivable is a sincere testament to Okami's undeniable quality.[Via OMGNintendo]
