Following the exciting announcement of a sequel to the cult classic Ōkami at last year's Game Awards, speculation was rife that the game would be developed using Capcom's RE Engine. IGN can now exclusively confirm this speculation to be true, following a detailed interview with key project leads.
In the interview, Machine Head Works producer Kiyohiko Sakata confirmed the use of RE Engine and elaborated on the collaborative nature of the project. He explained that Capcom, as the major IP holder of Ōkami, sets the overall direction, while Clovers leads the development. Machine Head Works serves as a crucial bridge between the two, leveraging their previous experience with both Capcom and Clovers, as well as their familiarity with director Hideki Kamiya's work.
Sakata further highlighted Machine Head Works' role in aiding Clovers with RE Engine, noting that their team includes members with experience on the original Ōkami, adding valuable insight to the sequel's development.
When asked about the advantages of using RE Engine for an Ōkami sequel, Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi was emphatic, stating that the engine is essential for realizing Kamiya's artistic vision. Kamiya himself praised RE Engine for its expressive capabilities, suggesting fans expect the high-quality visuals synonymous with the engine.
The leads also hinted that RE Engine could enable them to achieve elements in the sequel that were not possible in the original Ōkami, thanks to advancements in technology. Sakata expressed enthusiasm about realizing their past ambitions and even surpassing them with the aid of RE Engine.
RE Engine, known officially as Reach for the Moon Engine, was initially developed for Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and has since been utilized in major Capcom titles like the Resident Evil series, Monster Hunter, Street Fighter, and Dragon's Dogma. Although most games developed with RE Engine feature realistic art styles, the unique aesthetic of Ōkami offers an intriguing opportunity for innovation. Capcom is also working on a new engine, REX, which is gradually being integrated into RE Engine, hinting at potential enhancements in the upcoming Ōkami sequel.
For a comprehensive look at our interview with the Ōkami sequel's leads, you can read the full Q&A here.
