Case Study #2 - Okami

Okami

Released: 2006
Platform: Xbox 360/Wii
Genre: Action-Adventure
Publisher: Capcom


In terms of style, Okami is an excellent example of a consistent game world. 

The entire game space revolves around Japanese culture, but in less than a stereotypical way. The most obvious note to make is the art style. This is based on traditional Japanese ink art. As for why this is necessary to point out, it comes back to the connection between game space and characters. 

 

While the main character is a wolf which, on the surface, may not appear to have any particular involvement with Japanese culture, but is based off a wolf of the same name actually a part of Japanese folklore - in which the wolf will both help travelers and kill those it deems to have evil within them. 

 

The entire game is based on Japanese folklore in fact, with the wolf being Amaterasu - the sun goddess - who is called upon for help. In other words, the character and the game space, all inspired by Japanese culture, very much fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. In fact the very particular art style that surrounds the environment AND the character - along with other characters from lore - helps to further interconnect the two aspects. 

Not only that but the character can interact with the game space in a particularly interesting manner, regarding the Celestial Brush mechanic which, again, is another integral part of the Japanese ink art culture. Everything meshes together seamlessly to create an experience for many players, even if it is less obvious who exactly the main character is. Due to the distinct and recognisable style of the game environment and consequently the characters within it, players are not detached in any way from the culture or the game itself, understanding that it is inherently Japanese. 

In fact Okami has piqued interest in a number of people to explore the particular culture more.

Okami incorporates each of the points I covered in my Literature Review: story, characters and game spaces, into one cultural experience that is neither stereotypical nor too far removed. Given that Amaterasu is in the form a wolf, she is easily relatable to a lot of people who have a fondness of this animal, and beyond the surface of that is a deeper character from another culture to which players can channel some sort of relation.

In other words, Okami demonstrates well how characters and game spaces can work perfectly together, even through a culture less known to others.