DAY 3 - GRAPHICS
Now here is the real test to people. I myself was turned off by Okami when I first looked at it. I dont know why really. Maybe the art style lended itself to a more "youth full" audience, but upon further inspection, you learn to love it. Appreciate it. Much like Wind Waker. Now comparing the two is rather silly. But the reason why I'm comparing them is for two reasons. 1) They draw a certain attention to themselves. When people look at either, they get a certain opinion, or mindset. The only thing that can change it, is actually playing the games. When I saw Wind Waker for the first time, I thought "Oh my...what have they done to Zelda?" Once you play it you know. And 2) They broke the mold. These two games set standards for fellow games to follow.

Okami of course, like I said earlier, is much like a water painting. Take for instance, the picture to the side. This is concept art for the game. Now take a look at the previous pictures I've posted, and I hope you can see the similarities. It's steps like these that I personally believe, forward the progression of gaming. Sure, the gameplay isn't all that revolutionary, and the story? We've all heard the same stories. Its how all these things come together, to make the perfect package. Whether you believe that graphics are important or not, you cannot dismiss them. If they bring down the gameplay, or the game itself, bad things happen. But when graphics are good/great, they can help the total and overall experience. Much of which Okami does.

The character design, from your main character, to the many bosses/baddies are well done. Most are not overly detailed, but the detail is exactly where it needs to be. Animations for everything are interesting as well. One of my favourite things about Okami, is when Amaterasu is running, and behind him, wherever he runs, grass and flowers spring up from underneath. Interesting touch, simple yet effective. It's interesting, because that simple thing sums up the game perfectly. Where Amaterasu travels, he replaces death and darkness, with life and light.

Okami is one of those games that you need to see to believe, and soon enough, we will all get that chance once again! And if this is your first time, your in for one hell of a treat!
~Rewtbeer

Posted in: on Friday, March 21, 2008 at at 11:27 AM