10 Harsh Truths We Don't Want To Admit About Awesome Games

7. Okami Is Just A Good-Looking Zelda Clone

okamiThe Awesome: A visually stunning tale that combines elements from Japanese myths, legends and folklore, and though it never found a huge audience, it was marked out as IGN's Game of the Year, while receiving ecstatic praise from most of the gaming press. The Truth: One can't doubt the entrancing appeal of Okami, but let's take a look at what the game involves for a moment - you explore a vast world, slowly learning new moves and obtaining more equipment as you gain access to new areas, while encountering tough puzzles. Doesn't this sound just like, well, every Zelda game ever? Add in the cel-shaded look, and it's easy to see why people think the two are so similar at a core level, even if they are rooted in entirely different settings and plots. One can't blame Clover Studio too much - after all, why not borrow from successful formulas? - but the game's originality and ingenuity have nevertheless been overstated a tad.
Contributor
Contributor

Frequently sleep-deprived film addict and video game obsessive who spends more time than is healthy in darkened London screening rooms. Follow his twitter on @ShaunMunroFilm or e-mail him at shaneo632 [at] gmail.com.