Hideki Kamiya has once again expressed his deep desire to develop sequels for Okami and Viewtiful Joe, sharing these sentiments in a recent interview with Ikumi Nakamura. Dive deeper into his aspirations and the collaborative spirit he shares with the Unseen founder, Nakamura.
Kamiya feels a strong responsibility to complete the story, which he believes concluded prematurely. "The story ended midway, so leaving it as it is, I feel bad," he stated, calling on Capcom to partner in continuing this beloved franchise. Nakamura, sharing his enthusiasm, highlighted their joint history with the game and their eagerness for its potential revival. Kamiya also pointed out the recent Capcom survey where Okami ranked among the top seven games fans wish to see a sequel for.
Regarding Viewtiful Joe 3, Kamiya humorously acknowledged its smaller fanbase but noted that its story also remains incomplete. He shared that he had provided feedback in the Capcom Survey pushing for a sequel, yet his comments were not reflected in the survey results. "The director himself is asking to make the game again but they won't even talk about it," he quipped.
Kamiya's desire to create a sequel to Okami is not new. In a video interview with Cutscenes in November 2021, he discussed leaving Capcom and the unresolved elements of Okami. "When I was making Okami, I would have never thought that I would leave Capcom and work somewhere else. Okami had been built on various ideas, and I figured that regarding things that didn't make it in, since I would probably have a chance to work on it again, I could foreshadow and expand on some things, addressing them in a sequel and answering players' questions while hinting at how the story ends."
With the release of Okami HD across various platforms, the game's player base expanded, and interest in its unresolved plot points grew, further fueling Kamiya's sense of unfinished business. "There's always this part of me that thinks that I need to take care of this at some point. I want to do it someday," he reiterated.
The Unseen interview provided insights into the collaborative dynamic between Nakamura and Kamiya. Having first worked together on Okami, they later collaborated on Bayonetta, where Nakamura significantly contributed to the game's design and world-building. Their partnership is marked by mutual respect and creative synergy, with Nakamura often encouraging Kamiya to push the boundaries of his vision and enhance the gameplay experience.
Nakamura shared stories from their time working on Bayonetta, noting how her concept art and ideas helped shape the game's unique style. Kamiya praised her ability to grasp and elevate his vision, emphasizing the importance of having a team that shares a common goal.
Despite leaving Platinum Games in September of last year, Kamiya remains committed to game development and has no plans to retire. Nakamura highlighted the uniqueness of seeing Kamiya in an independent role, underscoring his passion and dedication to crafting memorable games. The interview concluded with both developers expressing their hopes for future projects and their ongoing desire to leave a lasting impact on the gaming industry.
This interview has sparked significant excitement among fans, who are eager for sequels to Okami and Viewtiful Joe. The realization of these projects hinges on Capcom's willingness to collaborate. As Nakamura and Kamiya continue to inspire and captivate their audience, the gaming community remains hopeful for official announcements and new installments in these beloved franchises.