The Franchise

Who says innovation is dead? This game looks amazing and looks like it plays great too. Check out the video preview here: http://media.ps2.ign.com/media/678/678618/vids_1.html



Between I love Katamari, Shadow of the Colussus and Okami, the PS2 has some great artistic games coming out. Who says "mature" games are getting all the attention?

zero

Sadly much like Shadow and Katamri this game could very well fall through the cracks. The game isnt in my stores computer and we dont even have a release date for it. I've been talking it up since last year as a title to look for, but only three people (including myself) seem interested. I show every customer who asks about the game the trailer, yet same response "Oh thats ok, I dont think i'll buy it." I swear my store clintel act like such snobs when it comes to asking for something new, I show them something new....and its "eh". Thats ok though, they can keep playing the same game over and over again I am definately buying this game day of release.

TheMadMonk

Shadow of the Colossus isn't even out yet is it? And I bet Katamari outperformed all sales it was expected to make, and was a critical success as well.

Decker

Well, the game looks so beautiful I could cry, but those videos don't really explain much about the gameplay to me. Are you controlling that paintbrush?
In any case, if the game fails here, it wouldn't because it's too innovative, but rather because it's so Japanese that it might alienate the US buyers. If there's one thing that Nintendo does much better than either Sony or Microsoft, it's that they know how to design brilliant games that appeal to both markets (almost equally, amazingly enough).

zero

Critical praise, or outperforming sales dont make most people buy games. Even the most successful game can still be disliked. Like Decker said the game could be "too japanese" for some people,or could be over looked due to its graphics (example-Zelda The Wind Waker). And to answer your question Decker, its not a paintbrush but the wolf's tail. It comes up on the screen when you need to cross a bridgeless are or slash open a gate. It honestly feels like a DS element just no DS.

Jtnguyen12

I love this game cuz it have great arts & kool 2D graphic but still wait for the release date here in the US. Hope, they have the MSRP $19.99 - $29.99.

Ralph Wiggum

There is almost no chance of this game being released in the U.S. Still, Capcom's showing some real signs of life - Killer 7, Okami, Viewtiful Joe, etc. - these last couple years.

Brooklyn

It was at E3 being touted as a fall release, but it's since been
delayed to 1st or 2nd quarter 2006 I believe.

And yes you control the paintbrush, but it's very forgiving as far
as meeting your requirements with it. For example, you're running
along with the wolf and you come to a chasm with no way across.
You'd use the brush to paint yourself a bridge. There's more to it
than that, but that's the gist (sp?) of it.

What was shown was extremely wordy and very slow paced, but that
was a tutorial area and as such to be expected. Hopefully it wasn't an
acurate representation of what's instore for the entire game.

The look was fantastic, kind of a blend of Zelda The Wind Waker meets
a Native American style. One of the better looking games at the show.

Decker

A game with this sort of production value and innovation HAS to be released stateside, Japanese flavor or not. Think about it - the game development has already been done. It's just a question of translating and finding a distributor. Mark my words, it'll be out next year.

joshd2012

Its actually Sumi-e style, which is Japanese.

scrimshaw

It's definitely coming out stateside, I played a demo of the game, which was basically a tutorial level, and the instructions were in English. I'm very excited for this release.

Brooklyn

That would explain the brush

glassdragon

That is quite possibly the weirdest thing i've ever seen in my life. Then again Katamari was weird and it turned out pretty good

The Franchise

IGN has an import playtest of the game. Sounds like this is going to be a must play for me. It looks freakin amazing!!!!!

http://ps2.ign.com/articles/702/702434p1.html





I love the art direction. They say it's changed quite a bit since it's first showing (ie. improved).

Watch the videos as well to see it in motion. The Shiny people clip is great. This game, to me, explains why Xbox needs the support of Japanese developers so that it's game library doesn't completely consist of FPS after FPS (99 Nights non withstanding).

Be sure to check out the flower action clip on the 2nd page of vids too....

madara

Yeah just waiting until E3 to confirm it not coming to the Rev any time soon and I'll be buying this one as well.

Liver&Onions

It's games like this that make me really want to pick up a PS2.

The Bus

SiberianLlama

During last fall's Tokyo Game show, they were giving out demos of the Japanese version of this game and I fell in love with its art style and it was a lot of fun to play. I can't wait till an English version comes out in the fall! This is a game I've been waiting for ever since I played that demo in September.

Giantrobo

Wow. It's a pretty game. But then again so was Otagi:Myth of Demons and I'm still pulling my hair out over the frustrating camera/control scheme. I hope this game has a better one.

Anyway Game Informer #156 has an interview with one of the guys working on this game and he said there's about 3 or 4 different Japanese artistic styles going on here.

The Franchise

Okami got a 39/40 from Famitsu and they compared it to Legend of Zelda:OoT!!

Preview from 1up really makes me want to get this game bad! Haven't wanted to play a game this bad since Shadow of the Colussus.
http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3149944&did=1

Josh H

It definitely looks amazing. I'll have to check this one out for sure. Always up for something fresh and new.

Outlaw

I've heard nothing but good things about this game. And looking at the art style it is right up my ally! Good god! The art style! I could rave about it all day (and night). Sucks we have to wait until September to play it .

sdcrym

So does this game come with the microphone, or does it simply allow for its use if you already have it?

The Franchise

What microphone? It doesn't have voice recognition or anything ad far as I know.

Chris_D

I was watching it running on a tv the otherday and it looks very pretty. Haven't had a chance to play it yet though.