Ōkami is a creative action-adventure game in the vein of The Legend of Zelda.
Great Graphics/Art
Great Story
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Story & Themes
Okami is an action-adventure game in the vein of The Legend of Zelda. However, instead of collecting different gadgets to get you through the game's various puzzles, you gain different drawing techniques. Okami's player character is the Shinto sun god Amaterasu, and she has the ability to draw various things into existence. Draw the wind, and it will blow. Draw the rain, and it will fall. You will use the very forces of nature to battle the evil Orochi and his minions.
Okami's story is based on Japanese folklore. Long ago, the evil eight-headed serpent Orochi was sealed away by the great warrior Nagi and Amaterasu, but Amaterasu was injured during the battle and dies shortly thereafter. A hundred years later, in order to prove that the legend of Orochi never really happened, Nagi's descendant Susano breaks the seal. Orochi is awakened, and the land becomes cursed. Trees and plants wither, and monsters are unleashed. But hope is rekindled when Amaterasu is reincarnated, coming to life from a statue built in her honor. Amaterasu travels the land, searching to regain her godly powers and fighting back the tide of darkness.
Save Points
The game uses actual save points called Origin Mirrors. You have to be at an Origin Mirror in order to save the game.
Difficulty
The game starts out fairly easy and then builds in complexity. On the Wii, the motion controls add an amazing "feel" dimension to the game, but sometimes it's difficult to control the "celestial pen"—it's difficult to make a straight line, for instance, and you might have to try several times to get it right.
Heads Up!
Violence The entire game has a very cartoony style, so the violence is also fairly cartoony. All of the enemies are monsters, although there are some vaguely human-shaped monsters. The player can draw lines through enemies and objects in order to cut them and can draw bombs into existence. Amaterasu can use swords and whip-like weapons to vanquish her foes. Overall, it's even more tame than the violence typically found in The Legend of Zelda titles.
Scary Imagery Some of the bosses and monsters could be frightening for younger kids.
Strong Language There is a bit of toilet humor. It is possible for Amaterasu to learn attacks which involve going to the bathroom on her enemies.
Substance Use There is some alcohol use. The player character in both games can drink different types of sake for various bonuses.
Consumerism The game, with it's historical setting and beautiful painting-like backgrounds, might make you want to buy art or a pen and ink. But that's about it.
Discrimination The gender roles do reflect historically Japanese gender roles.
Conversation Starters
- Do you see parallels between this Japanese story and European folktales you've read?
- Why don't we look up the Japanese art of ink drawing and find out about the history of this art form?
- What are your favorite ink-drawing "weapons" and tools in the game?
- Do you think some of the bosses are scary?
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