ESRB rating: Teen - Blood and Gore, Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco
Awards: Best Overall Game - Game Revolution (2006)
BAFTA awards for Artistic Achievement and Original Score (2007)
IGN Game of the Year (2006)
Official PlayStation Magazine, Best PS2 Game of the Year (2006)
Description:
Using Japanese myths and folklore as a basis, Okami follows the main character Amaterasu as she tries to remove a curse from a Japanese village and protect the villagers from a monster named Orochi. As the white wolf Amaterasu, the player’s primary tool is an item called the “Celestial Brush,” an artistic tool which is used to get the character thought puzzles, combat and challenges throughout the game. Players can paint their way through situations, affecting the elements and their surroundings with the brush.
Though given a Teen rating because of the battle scenes, references to sake and a depiction of pipe smoking, the game’s storyline and dialogue are rich. A review that appeared in IGN said: “The characters are funny, witty, sarcastic, sly and generally have a ton of personality…”
In a 2010 article listing the best games of the past decade, Gaming with Children’s Cary Woodham named Okami the best game of 2006 calling it a “masterpiece.”
Trailer:
Why the library should carry it:
Okami is as much a story as it is a game. The game uses a lengthy opening sequence of text and images to set up a detailed description of the events that took place 100 years ago which led to the release of a monster and our main character’s mission in the game. The depth, beauty and intrigue within this game, along with its critical acclaim, make it a must-have for the library. 