Okamiden Kicks Cuteness Up A Notch

@NeoChaos: Region free, yes. But importing a Japanese game as text-heavy as Okami isn't going to be much good to an uncultured English-only swine like me.

Way to exploit everyone's love of cute puppy dogs Capcom. So buying this even though I am still mad about the whole Clover Studios thing.

Bluevirage

@N●Gage Croal misses when people sent/checked messages: I tried okami on the wii, but the controls were too inaccurate for me. I never tried it on PS2, but I can say that DS seems like the perfect platform for this. They have one sale already lined up!

"...Namely that it's on the DS (was hoping for PS3)..."
Hey, let's make a costly sequel for a game that bombed TWICE on TWO systems with MUCH larger install bases!

"...and that it's not Clover (well, Platinum) making it..."
If memory serves me right, the Clover staff was absorbed back into other Capcom teams (Clover being a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capcom to begin with...). The only ones that left Capcom were the producers and directors (Mikami, Inaba, etc.). At least, that's what I recall.
So, it's possible that former Clover staff IS working on this.

And back in 2007, I thought people WANTED Okami for DS...

@stryfehiro: most likely smaller budgets, you see, when "hardcore gamers" decide not to spend money on a amazing game like okami, then the publishers dont give as much money when there is a follow up. now perhaps if the aforementioned "hardcore gamers" actually bought the game , maybe things would be different, but colors infect you with rampant-manlove, dont you know?

also, for dragon warrior, japan is crazy about the handhelds, look at the sales charts. since dw is a series that primarily does its business in japan, you go where the business is.

ryanfrost13

I wish I was a girl just so I could really express how cute I think that thing is.

@Eviltim: they are talking about the last blockhead brother(the talking wall guys) the last one was guarding a stray bead.

ryanfrost13

@Qube: Isn't the DS region free? Of course, if this is a DSi game, we could be in trouble.

@LordThayer: Yeah, all those Castlevania titles on the system got wasted by being dumbed down to kids... oh, wait.

I was prepared for anything in order to continue hating the idea of a new Okami on the DS.
I was prepared for anything... but this.

I have to have one!

@HELLSRIDER is doing stuff: schitzo lol

Shinta

@Foxstar is in love with Kotaku's two Brians.: Unfortunately yah, they made great games, but they were just under the radar enough for that to happen.

Cloud_Hiro

AWWWW look at that chibi amaterasu. Too bad your design is being completely wasted on the DS. I would much rather prefer PS2/Wii/PSP. I mean atleast then its not a step back at the very least if Capcom doesn't want a next gen version >_>

drizzt_rocks

@NekuSakuraba just wants FRIENDS: *Slaps*

drizzt_rocks

@Antiterra: Sam got taken over by Marianne!??

drizzt_rocks

@Foxstar is in love with Kotaku's two Brians.: Exactly, finally someone who gets me! We should trade phone numbers!!!

stryfehiro

@Qube:
And you're assuming we won't learn japanese just to import the game.

Lozmaster

@Animaitor: Hahaha, exactly what I was thinking. Not to mention the chibi wolf fits the DS demographic more.

@Rena Lanford: IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO NOTICE IT!

Mister Jack can has cheezburger?

@opt2not: Don't worry, it's Sam.

@Mister Jack can has cheezburger?: ...and why were you spending all your playtime focusing on the butthole again? D:

@stryfehiro: So your a graphics whore who can't stand playing anything not in 1080p then?

@LordThayer: What does being on the DS have to do with anything? There's more then enough mature titles on the system.

@Gigaknight: Because Capcom sunk multi millions of dollars into them across a huge range of games and they never made back any of their development budgets.

@Ganji:
Dry erase marker >_>

Xagest

@bass28: The original Okami ending was suppose to have Kushi's/Susano's kd.

Raw_fishFood

Okami is the best of all Zelda games. I hope the DS game can live up to the original.

@bass28: Nope. That was my first thought as well.

OMG that thing has all black eyes!!! Someone must stop Marianne!

opt2not

Too..cute...can't resist...cute meter going off charts... +__+
Someone slap me!!

awww. I want to roll her up into my heart.

wait, wrong franchise.

@RoFFL3s: Like this, you sick bastard? You're a monster and MUST BE STOPPED!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to give my hamster a black dye bath and give it a little mohawk... metal hamSTEIN YEAAAAAAAH!

Im going to cosplay my dog. Once i get one. And if it's white.

Who knew a goddess could look so cute.

Aren't goddesses suppose to be sexy?

Am I the only one who tought that boy/girl riding Chibiterasu could be Zusano's son?

@Flyhawk: I'm confused, was that one of the points where you had to paint a few stars at specific points in the sky?

I remember a few parts like that but I don't remember having to spend more than 2 or 3 times on any of the parts. Of course, are you talking about the Wii or the PS2 version? I played it on PS2.

Eviltim

@GohanGVO: Seems I misread the first news update. I guess the characters being less detailed is due to the inability of the DS to handle Sakuya's physique?

However, there's still the mystery of Susano's fully developed (yet only 3 month old) son. It's still hard to say at this point.

spannu

Too bad clover studios no longer exists, if they still did, they would have made an awesome looking Okami game for the PS3. Why Capcom?! WHY must you be dicks to Clover studios by closing them down!? We will never see what could have been better than this!

@BurntFM: Awww. Your avatar is adorable as well. Damn too much cute in one day is making me sick, yet fuzzy inside.

God damn it. What do I do?

I want to hate it, as it stands for all that I despise in taking franchises to the DS (making it overly kid friendly, dumbing down plot and narrative), but it is just so fucking cute.

Damn it Capcom. This better not spiral out of control like the Battle Network series did.

Mother fuckers. They got call me.

Raw_fishFood

I think it was executed well on the PS2, and a I really like good graphics. No sarcasm or maliciousness in that statement, I just like it when new games have the most cutting edge graphics. I'm really disappointed about Valkyria Chronicles taking a step back, but it's just indicative of a trend where semi-successful games get downgraded to portables. Dragon Warrior excluded... sort of.

stryfehiro

Probably the DS could not handle an adult wolf... too many polygons ;P

@Maxyboy13: You're assuming there will be a Western release. I'd love this game too, but I don't like our chances.

zomg super kawaiidesunee ^_^ ..... ./seppuku~

@GohanGVO: Amaterasu isn't genderless. It was mentioned in game(in both English and Japanese) that she is the sun goddess but to the world she was the male wolf(her avatar) Shiranui.

Black-Dog-Howls

@ThreeOneFive: No, it could still look like okami.

I just don't want them to do it lazily by making one single filter and sticking it on top of the ENTIRE game.

@[www.oldeenglish.org]

Ad-hominem

@GohanGVO: Hm. not surprised someone beat me to the punch.

And also, DAWWWWW, I wanna take it home!

@Flyhawk: HAH, you didn't even get to the EVIL one where you had to memorize 8 dots for that bad boy. Pretty much the only way to do it was using a video camera. I just turned around my laptop and recorded.

Ganji

Its cute, Im incredibly falling into its cuteness! ITS SO DAMN CUTE!!!!!!!!!
Ok, back to being the boring guy who just loves to play FPS's and loves to do manly stuff.
ARRGH this is so ridiculously stupid, why would I care about this shit its so dumb and gay blah blah blah.
You guys which of those two opinions is real ;)

@Archaotic: Could be worse. It could be carrying a chainsaw infused with the power of the sun.

Ophite

@stryfehiro: You really didn't think about the ds when playing okami? I sure did...

Well, the art direction is certainly in the right place at least.

@spannu: This game takes place a number of months after the original.

Amaterasu is genderless, and presumably this Chibiterasu will be as well. You can pin the use of "her" to the common use of pronouns in the English language combined with the constant referencing of Ammy as a "mother" and a "goddess."

Regardless, Chibisu (or Chiba. Both are property of GVO, LLC.) is ridiculously adorable.

@Archaotic: *gets scythe ready*

I'm ready @_@

Valkyria Chronicles, Okami, Dragon Warrior. Whats with sending awesome games over to portables? I own a DS and a PSP but I don't want to see these games dumbed down... Or should I say made with crappier graphics.

stryfehiro

Day One Puchase.

It's going to be awesome and it's also the most graphically impressive DS game.

Also, that is the most awesome main character ever.

Maxyboy13

@Archaotic: Before, you say?

B33

@Archaotic: You dare defy a god? Nay, a cute god puppy with the power of the sun?

Well sir, unless those shotgun rounds are packed with Orochi venom, you're outta luck!

Atomsk88

@octalass: I never really figured we'd see anymore Okami after it underperformed on PS2 and the Wii. So if the word of mouth/review consensus on this stinks, I can just pretend it never happened. But we might get a very good handheld game, which may or may not lead to the current gen face-melting Okami sequel we all want. So to me there's only upside. Any good that comes of this will be more than I expected.

Edit: awwwwwwwww

(zombie) buddhathing

I liked Okami, untill their came a point where you had to memorize where five or sso random dots appeared and then paint said dots in said order down to the pixel. I eventually got past that part, but by that time I was so pissed off that I refused to continue playing. So you'll excuse me if I'm not totally sold on Okamiden, specially considering the very nature of the system will probobly lead Capcom to making more of these types of "Puzzles"...

Flyhawk

@Archaotic: This man speaks words of wisdom. We must do as he says.

@(zombie) buddhathing: Haha, I can imagine you stealing it under her arms when she falls asleep... tsk tsk. Lucky me I have no children.

@WhiteMage: So basically you want it to not look like Okami?

Though seeing as this is on the DS, I'd guess it'll just be a simple cellshaded style similar to Zelda: PH.

@(Zombie) Goldwings: Mine is standing firm.

@Shindokie: Oh my god, I would so buy a plushy of Chibiterasu!

...

For my daughter, of course.

(zombie) buddhathing

@(Zombie) Goldwings: *cocks shotgun* I've done it before, I can do it again. e_e

It looks like it's bent on murder, destruction and runs on the tears of despaired children.

I'm getting a white puppy and painting red patterns on it right now.

ADORABLE!

That is extremely cute

@(Zombie) Goldwings: Capcom is a collective menace.

Ampere

@kagebutsu: Since the characters are younger and the mystery protagonist is reminiscent of the hero from 1000 years ago, it seems to be a prequel. I'm guessing they'll still finish the original ending if it sells well.

spannu

@Archaotic: But, it's sooo fukcing cute!! YOU kill it D:

Amaterasu was already pretty cute, really. Well...except for the artist's insistence that we constantly see her butthole. Hopefully they allow a few liberties with this game, because that got pretty distracting.

Mister Jack can has cheezburger?

@Archaotic: Also whips!

spannu

NOO! The cuteness is melting my putrid, rotten heart
X_X

I'm impressed by how pretty it looks.

BUT.

Will it have an incessant stagnant filter? Like the other one did? Meaning if you look at the texture in one part of the screen, you can see it doesnt move as you move, and is in fact just a smple filter layered over the whole screen, instead of over individual objects. That aggivated my eyes quite a bit. :\

D'AWWWW! I want to hug it and never stop.

I have to admit that's fucking cute, I hope they make a plushy so i can hug it, because I don't have a dog :(

Aww isn't she/he cute. I really hope it sells well so we can get a true sequel and continue the cliffhanger of the first Okami game.

kagebutsu

Well, now this will be the first DS game on my must-have list for 2010.

Capcom, please just make sure Amaterasu makes it into Tatsunoko vs. Capcom.

Killer7

QUICKLY! KILL IT! KILL IT BEFORE IT PROCREATES! If we don't act soon, the world will be overrun by miniature fluffballs that just happen to carry mountain-cutting swords in their mouths!

Dear Kotaku,
Can you please stop whining whenever a game is announced for a Nintendo console?

CaptJapan

She is so hug-able!

As a huge fan of Okami, I want to hate this sooo much... but it's too cute!

Those screen shots look impressive for a DS game anyway. Let's hope they don't shame Clover's masterpiece.

It's a shame she will look like ass on the DS screen

FunkyMunxy

As I stated in the other thread... the pun really bugs me. And I am a person who routinely befouls threads with horrible puns.

The cuteness...it assimilates me....yaaaaaargh!!!!!

Just as well. A game like this was meant to be played with a stylus.

Policroma

@FearfulInsomniac: "this just seems to be the L4D2 of Adventure games. Which is fine, but really comes off as Capcom trying to pull a fast one on us."

Yeah, that was total bullshit when Capcom promised us more DLC for Okami and then announced this sequel. I mean, I'm still playing Okami multiplayer! Why the hell do I need a sequel when it could have been released as new maps on THIS Okami?!

i'm soooo buying this. :3

curly haired boy

OMG...that...is....effin adorable, it's so fat and fat and...FAT.

So, it's perfect for the DS, I change my stance...I no longer am displeased with this version of Okami.

I still stand that I want a Godhand 2 and so help me god if Capcom turned Gene into a chibi beating up people on the PSP.

:grumble:

So, enjoy DS owners! Hopefully it's a great game for you guys!

Rachel Fogg

@Ichigo Style: They just released MH3, Res 5, and SF4 all not too long ago. I think they are doing fine. Take a risk Capcom and throw that bad boy on the PS3!

@opt2not: Season finale coming up guys! Speculation on the egg? Wtf?

@Foxstar is in love with Kotaku's two Brians.:

God I hate that argument. I play games predominantly at home. When I'm on the go I don't want to play a 30 hour epic adventure that will require me to pay close attention to anything more than the gameplay. As such why is it so god damn horrible that I would want to play these sequels on a console with better graphics, on a larger screen, and in 5.1?

I own both a DS and PSP. Love both systems. I also have big friggin stiffy for both Okami and Valkyria Chronicles. But OMG if I don't want to play them on the DS I MUST be a graphics whore who can't appreciate the game itself.

bkchurch

@dazoid: The past article said 2 months after the events of Okami. Which certainly can't be right, if what you said is true. I'm really confused here, something lost in translation?

@dazoid:

Uh, try a few months after the events of Okami.

bkchurch

@Revenge_of_Nekojin: I disagree. Next.

FunkyMunxy

However cute it is, Chibiterasu is still a dumb name, IMO.

@Xagest: GENIUS. I suffered through that baby the hard way. I forget how I actually pulled it off, but your way is the type of thing an engineer like myself should have thought of.

I say again. GENIUS.

SuperSonik

@FearfulInsomniac: I believe previous articles about Okamiden suggested the game took place something like 200 years after the events of Okami. There very well may not be any connection between any of the characters, or at least a few generations of relation-gap

Why would they put it on the PS3? Okami sold better on the Wii, so it's natural it would go back to Nintendo.

That said, it does look really cute and I will be picking up a copy.

EmeraldDragon

@Gigaknight: Its a business, and frankly, even though Clovers games had positive, critical reception, their games did NOT sell.

You can't fault capcom for this. Theyre doing what they need to do to stay float.

I still hold out hope that some day, Inafune will find that budget for Mega Man Legends 3 ;_;

Is that... a female character that looks like Susano? Maybe I missed something in the game *mainly the ending -.-*, but I don't remember Susano having his hair like that. Or... having a child, at that? Tell me I'm not the only person seeing that. TELL ME I'M NOT CRAZY!

@daytown: Had a few problems myself with the Wii, but I'd have to say that they'd have done better to at least TRY to have involved the Gamecube or Classic controller as an option. That being said, the only "problems" I had were because the sensor bar wasn't sitting on the TV in a way that I could sit on the floor and play Okami at the same time.

DS seems to be a much better choice, however, this just seems to be the L4D2 of Adventure games. Which is fine, but really comes off as Capcom trying to pull a fast one on us. Don't get me wrong, I LOVED Okami, but that still doesn't mean I even finished it, or was even WANTING a sequel. I may try it out, but I don't know if I can say "Sign me up!" until I see some footage.

@FunkyMunxy: Funny, she looks just fine in the DS SCREEN IN THE ARTICLE.

Revenge_of_Nekojin

So...when's Capcom going to release a plush of Chibi there?

...
Awwwwww...
It's adoreable...too adoreable...

It wants to rule the world!

Mister_CrazyGuy

Letsee... I have a DS. I don't have a PS3. Yep, I'm happy.

The Amazing Exploding-Man

@FunkyMunxy: Well I disagree. Previous!

pressstart

@Crash__Man: PS3 motion wand. Nuff said.

Seriously, I don't see why people were hating on the DS announcement so much. Sounded a lot like graphics over whatever else the game offered.

pressstart

@MaiAriSquee: But it makes absolute sense, since it is what its name is.

pressstart

@Byakko: DO want.

bkld18

It's definitely cute, but the name just makes me think it's supposed to be "tiny Amaterasu." So the only thing I'm really concerned about is how different the story and what-not will really be for this sequel.

Nintendogs: Best Friend Okami Edition?

that is.... incredibly cute.

and that image at the bottom makes s/he look pretty bad-ass too.

I'm officially excited!

Crash__Man

@EmeraldDragon: truth.

plus, the Wii and DS are literally the only two platforms that can effectively pull off the brush techniques.

so let's see....

the driving mechanic of the game OR hd.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Crash__Man

@tk.: Sorry, but that actually made me go D'awwwww.

@tk.: LOL, thank you for the awesome video, sir, you made me start the day in a good way. :)

gurfinki

I couldn't help but think of this...

@bkchurch: That is correct. It is a few months after the original game, I think 2.

Also, that is Susano's daughter. It was already confirmed by Capcom.

flameofdoom666

If this trend continues, I wonder what the 360 and PS3 adaptions would like.

My guess, is the 360 and PS3 versions would sport a Mohawk, pierced tail, and 7 inch long fangs. The game would of course be called Okami of War. The 360 would get exclusive golden gun DLC and the PS3 would have six axis support for wagging the tail.

As a big burly man, I must say, "Aww that's cute! Must buy!"

IndustrialJones

Aww! She/He is just the cutest little thing. I might have to boot up my copy of Okami this weekend.

Caylis

@ReVivAL: Big Bird is the God who Comes...guaran-f#@%in'-teed...

DCSimian

@carmina2008: i think my 5 year old nephew could word that better

Julio Vasquez

I can't wait to play this, I'm admittedly usually one of the first people to shout "GIMMICK!" at how to stylus is used for most DS games, but Okami + DS is probably the best combination for a game and a console, the stylus will work wonderfully with the painting!

Strife Fox †

@Gigaknight: Yup, too bad they don't exist. Instead a lot of the members went on to form Platinum Games and they released Madworld... Quite a stark contrast.

Two points to make really, while a development company can make awesome games, they can also loose their mojo, another case in point is Rare.

Additionally, a different development team taking the reigns of a property doesn't mean it will be bad, and shouldn't be assumed until anything besides a title and a few screenshots have been shown of the game.

@Gigaknight: WOW!!! PS3 *capcom* :^0

DS = PS3? Just what! good! Okami 2. dog... Pot?? Wow!! soon.... Okami kid.. never.

@FearfulInsomniac: I am betting $10 on Niece that was forgotten.

@Byakko: awww, that's so cute ^_^

Nubius isn't on vacation...

It that Susano's daughter?

cutmaclass

@Ganji: You beat me to the answer on that one. ;) I used my Treo video camera to capture and play back the points for this challenge.

west43rd

This is almost too cute. I screamed to Capcom to make an Okami DS, and here it is! Day 1 purchase, no doubt. Stylus controls and Okami gameplay are a match made in heaven.

@tk.: That's incredibly adorable. O_O

@Foxstar is in love with Kotaku's two Brians.: Because the userbase is mostly kids. This is not the DSs fault, but that doesn't change much.

So many series have been dumbed down for it for this reason. The "dumbing down" that I am talking about isn't even necessarily a negative thing a a whole, but it is for me, personally.

Perfect example off the top of my head: FF XII: Revenant Wings. It lost everything that made XII witty and enjoyable for me (as far as dialogue goes). They even managed to let Balthier's lines be forgettable.

I absolute love my DS, don't get me wrong. But case in point: do you guys think for a second that they would have went with this baby wolf had it been on any system besides the DS (and possibly the Wii)?

@FunkyMunxy: Well, your opinion sucks! Next.

This is the thing though, this isn't Okami 2. This is like... Okami the After Years with a time paradox. It's a spin off, it seems. I would think that Capcom would've at least TRIED to get most of the original crew together though. Maybe they didn't want a stupid sequel. And as far as the DS being bad for this game... do you perchance hate the DS, or have no clue what it is? Because even though I don't really like the idea of this game, it's PERFECT for the DS.

@flameofdoom666: Damn. How do they come out THAT fast? I mean, I've heard kids grow up fast, but really? Concieved, born, at the very least 3 years old, ALL IN TWO MONTHS? Something has to be wrong with the info, that's just unlikely. Either that, or we got ourselves another time paradox.

@pressstart: I think it is disappointing that one of the most graphically appealing games of the last gen is being given a sequel on the worst platform possible for showcasing it's talents. The game was phenomenal on the PS2, worse on the Wii which had a supposedly more suitable control system, and it is inexcusable that is is not getting a HD iteration. I'm not impressed by tapping on a screen, the game worked perfectly well with analogue sticks. Next! :D

FunkyMunxy

@FunkyMunxy: Shoulda gone to Specsavers...

Cheeseloops

sure its cute now, but do you know how much of a hassle it is to raise a god dog?

@FunkyMunxy: Actually it looks great for a DS game, but really that's only half the equation. Who cares how it looks, if I wanted an overly detailed japanese painting, I'd go look at an overly detailed japanese painting. The gameplay and story are more important, especially the story in this case. I don't see how they could really do the same thing over again and keep it interesting, which means some stuff is likely to be added compared to the original.

@FunkyMunxy: Actually it looks great for a DS game, but really that's only half the equation. Who cares how it looks, if I wanted an overly detailed japanese painting, I'd go look at an overly detailed japanese painting. The gameplay and story are more important, especially the story in this case. I don't see how they could really do the same thing over again and keep it interesting, which means some stuff is likely to be added compared to the original.

@tk.: that's so cute i just died a little inside

@drizzt_rocks: Phew..thanks...~

snuggling solved.

@Black-Dog-Howls: Hmm. This interview from '06 says otherwise. Unless I am reading it incorrectly.

[www.1up.com]

@Skunky: Well that's another problem I have with it. Handhelds in my opinion are best for games which you can play in short bursts. A complex story-driven game would be better suited to a home console. I don't hate handhelds, I just don't consider being able to use a stylus for performing brushstrokes to be a good enough reason to put this on the DS. Also, I do care how it looks. I'd rather play a game that looks great with fantastic gameplay and story to one that looks worse. Maybe it does look good for the DS, but that isn't saying much.

FunkyMunxy