Capcom has unleashed a folklore superpower
Wednesday, October 18 2006, 12:19 AM EDT
Contributed by: Jeb Haught
Game: "Okami"
‘OKAMI’
Publisher: Capcom
System: Sony PlayStation 2
Cost: $39.99
ESRB Rating: T
Review rating: 4 sars
With the looming release of the PlayStation 3, many game developers are creating next-generation franchises that take advantage of the new hardware.
As a result, the PS2 is getting plenty of sequels and remakes of games available on other systems, but not much new content.
Bucking the trend, Capcom has released a wonderful action-adventure game, "Okami," which just may be the last great original title for the fading system.
Loosely based on Japanese folklore, players assume the role of a white wolf-god called Okami who possesses supernatural powers far beyond the imagination of mere mortals. Okami must eliminate the eight-headed embodiment of evil known as Orochi, and then must restore the barren Earth to its former beauty.
FOLKLORE SUPERPOWER
This is accomplished by defeating monsters using weapons and otherworldly powers, as well as literally painting the landscape using a Mystic Celestial Brush. When used correctly, players can change the landscape with a brush stroke. Plants can be brought back to life, the sun can be drawn to furnish plants with life-giving sunlight and vines can be created to help reach new areas.
In addition, the brush can slice through enemies to inflict massive damage.
"Okami" is created using cel-shaded animation that helps to give the game a gorgeous, ethereal feel. Though it takes place in a foreign land using folklore unfamiliar to Americans, it has a universal good-versus-evil theme that's familiar to all. Even though the protagonist isn't human, who doesn't want to help the wild cousin of man's best friend vanquish evil?
Buy it, rent it or borrow it from a friend. Do whatever it takes to acquire a copy of "Okami." I guarantee that you have never experienced anything quite like it.
‘BOMBERMAN’
Game: "Bomberman"
Publisher: Konami
System: Sony PSP
Cost: $29.99
ESRB Rating: E
Review rating: 3 stars
"Bomberman" detonates at every opportunity. Thankfully, the PSP version hasn't undergone the same dark and dismal changes found on the Xbox 360 version.
With an ominous black shadow approaching Bomberman's planet, it's up to him to stop the mysterious robot army from brainwashing its inhabitants, and blah blah blah ...
Fans of the "Bomberman" series know the story line is irrelevant. The game is all about entering puzzle-board arenas, blowing up soft blocks to obtain power-ups, defeating the enemies and finding the exit.
Like past incarnations, this version of "Bomberman" retains the traditional cutesy look, fast-paced action and merciless enemies. There are boss fights where the puzzle boards are replaced by an open arena conducive to intense combat.
That's why the vast array of available power-ups is so welcome. Starting off with the ability to drop one bomb with a short blast radius doesn't give the player much to work with, but increasing the blast radius, power and number of bombs that can be dropped consecutively vastly increases Bomberman's power and versatility.
EXPLOSIVE FUN
With 100 levels to overcome, the game play can become a bit repetitive, and some levels are frustrating to conquer. Still, the addition of a two- to four-player, ad-hoc multiplayer mode makes this the best version of "Bomberman" to date.
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RATING KEY
4 stars - Must have
3 stars - Pretty good
2 stars - So-so
1 star - Don't waste your time
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Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)
E: Everyone
T: Teen (13 and older)
E10-plus: (Everyone 10 and older)
M: Mature (17 and older)
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