Ōkami 2: Direct Sequel in Early Development

The announcement of a sequel to the beloved adventure game Ōkami at The Game Awards last year sparked widespread excitement among fans. However, details about the new game have remained scarce. In a recent interview with IGN, project leads provided some tantalizing tidbits, confirming that the "Ōkami sequel" is indeed a direct continuation of the original game's story.

Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi affirmed that the sequel picks up where the first game left off. When asked about the presence of the great god Amaterasu in the trailer shown at The Game Awards, director Hideki Kamiya playfully responded with "I wonder...", only for Hirabayashi to clarify moments later that it was indeed Amaterasu.

While this confirmation might not surprise fans, there has been considerable speculation on how the sequel will address the legacy of Ōkami. Notably, there is already a sequel to Ōkami, titled Ōkamiden, released for the Nintendo DS. This game follows Amaterasu's child, Chibiterasu, and reintroduces several characters from the original. However, Ōkamiden received mixed reviews, partly due to its DS platform and the absence of key original team members like Kamiya.

When asked about Ōkamiden and its recognition in the new sequel, Hirabayashi stated, "We know that there are fans out there that like the game, of course. And we also know the feedback on the game out there, of how the story was taken and now how perhaps parts of the story weren’t aligning with what people were expecting. With that, we also have the sequel now that, as we explained before, is a continuation from the story of the original base Ōkami. That's how we're going to phrase it."

The ending of Ōkami naturally sets the stage for a sequel, leaving Amaterasu and another character embarking on a new journey unexplored in the original game. This open-ended conclusion provides ample opportunity for fresh challenges and adventures for both Amaterasu and the other protagonists.

Unfortunately, fans will need to remain patient for more information. The team revealed that the Ōkami sequel is in the very early stages of development. They announced it early due to their excitement but, as Hirabayashi noted, "It might take a little bit of time before we might talk again."

For those eager to learn more, the full interview with the Ōkami sequel's leads is available for viewing. Stay tuned for further updates on this much-anticipated continuation of the Ōkami saga.