"Ōkami 2: Direct Sequel in Early Development"

The excitement surrounding the announcement of a sequel to the cherished adventure game Ōkami at The Game Awards last year has been palpable among fans, though details about the project remain scarce. In a recent interview with IGN, project leads shed some light on what to expect from the upcoming game, confirming that it is indeed a direct sequel to the original Ōkami.

Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi affirmed that the new game is a "continuation of the story that we saw in the original game." When questioned about the presence of the great god Amaterasu in the trailer showcased at The Game Awards, director Hideki Kamiya playfully responded with "I wonder..." However, Hirabayashi quickly clarified that Amaterasu would indeed be featured in the sequel.

While this confirmation may not surprise fans, there has been considerable speculation about how the sequel will address the legacy of Ōkami, especially considering the existence of Ōkamiden—a sequel released on the Nintendo DS featuring Amaterasu's child, Chibiterasu. Ōkamiden received mixed reviews, partly due to its platform and the absence of key members from the original team, including Kamiya.

Addressing the feedback on Ōkamiden, 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 conclusion of the original Ōkami leaves ample room for a sequel, as Amaterasu and another character embark on a new journey to an unexplored location, setting the stage for fresh challenges and adventures.

Despite fans' eagerness for more information, the development team revealed that the Ōkami sequel is in its very early stages. Hirabayashi mentioned, "It might take a little bit of time before we might talk again," indicating that fans should brace themselves for a wait before further details emerge.

For those interested in diving deeper, the full interview with the leads of the Ōkami sequel is available for review.