There’s Never Been A Better Time To Play This 2006 Classic That Every Video Game Fan Deserves To Experience

For years, it seemed like it would never happen, but it’s finally official: Okami is back, and every video game fan owes it to themselves to play it. The Zelda-like adventure game originally released by Capcom in 2006 to rave reviews but lackluster sales, seemingly dooming it to be remembered as an obscure cult classic for the rest of its days. Then something amazing happened- –a sequel to Okami was announced at The Game Awards 2024, and with that comes an opportunity for fans to rediscover what was almost a lost classic.

The announcement of an Okami sequel was a shock for many, though a very welcome one. Coming almost 20 years after the release of the original, the very thought of a sequel felt like the most far-fetched of dreams, despite the outpouring of support from devoted fans. To mark the occasion, the original Okami is currently available at a steep discount, making it easier than ever for new players to experience what makes this game so dearly beloved.

Why You Should Play Okami

An Unforgettable Classic Fighting To Be Remembered

Originally released as a PlayStation 2 exclusive in 2006, Okami is an action-adventure game with a style and gameplay inspired by classical Japanese art. The game’s beautiful, painterly visuals were unlike anything else at the time, earning Okami praise from critics and a slew of awards for its achievements. It was a common entry on many publications’ year-end “best of” lists, and in the years after Okami would become widely regarded as one of the PS2’s best games ever.

Okami was, unfortunately, a financial disappointment for Capcom despite its incredibly strong reviews, and any plans for a sequel were scrapped. The game’s director, Hideki Kamiya, would leave Capcom shortly after, leading to his studio, Clover, being dissolved. Aside from a follow-up game called Okamiden developed without the input of Kamiya, Okami looked to be dead in the water as a potential franchise.

History would prove to be on the side of Okami, however, as the game would receive a number of re-releases over the years. Starting with a port for the Nintendo Wii and eventually expanding into an HD remaster for modern consoles and PC, and even receiving crossover content in other Capcom games, Okami was able to eventually find its audience and continue living on in the hearts of fans. The core experience has never been compromised, as evidenced by its strong 93/100 on Metacritic (and 90/100 for the HD version), cementing Okami as a true classic.

Why It’s The Best Time To Play

A Big Sale To Celebrate A Big Announcement

Despite rumors swirling for years about a potential Okami sequel, seeing a trailer for it at The Game Awards was still a monumental moment. It immediately captured the same spirit as the original, from the lush watercolor aesthetic to the iconic image of the game’s protagonist, the wolf god Amaterasu, dashing across a field of flowers. Perhaps most encouraging was the reveal that Kamiya would be returning to work with Capcom as the game’s director, bringing everything full circle once again.

To celebrate the sequel’s announcement, the Steam version of Okami HD has been marked down to 75% off, creating a prime opportunity for new players to experience the first game for only a few dollars. The sale only lasts until Thursday, December 19, so fans will have to act fast to capitalize on this amazing deal. It’s worth it though, as much like the paintings it resembles, Okami is a work of art that deserves to be appreciated.

Sources: Metacritic, Capcom USA/YouTube, Steam