The announcement of a sequel to the beloved adventure game Ōkami at The Game Awards last year sparked widespread excitement among fans, though details about the new game remain scarce. In a recent interview with IGN, project leads provided a few tantalizing details, confirming that the "Ōkami sequel" is indeed a direct follow-up to the original game's events.
Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi emphasized that the new game is a "continuation of the story that we saw in the original game." 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..." before Hirabayashi confirmed Amaterasu's return.
While this news may not surprise fans, it does fuel speculation about how the sequel will build on the original. There's already a sequel to Ōkami, titled Ōkamiden, which was released on the Nintendo DS and follows Amaterasu's child, Chibiterasu. However, Ōkamiden received mixed reviews due to its platform and the absence of key original team members like Kamiya.
Addressing Ōkamiden, Hirabayashi acknowledged the game's fans and the feedback it received, noting that some felt the story did not meet expectations. He emphasized that the new sequel aims to continue directly from the original Ōkami, stating, "That's how we're going to phrase it."
The ending of Ōkami naturally sets the stage for a sequel. Without giving too much away, it shows Amaterasu and another character embarking on a new journey to unexplored territories, opening up possibilities for fresh challenges and adventures.
Unfortunately, fans will have to wait for more details, as the team confirmed that the Ōkami sequel is still in very early development. They announced it early out of excitement, but Hirabayashi noted, "It might take a little bit of time before we might talk again."
For more insights, you can read our full interview with the leads of the Ōkami sequel [ttpp].