10 Industry-Defining Video Games That Are Nowhere To Be Seen
4. Okami
Okami is a video game love-letter to Japanese folklore, watercolour, and art - marking one of the first games to explore unique visuals and gameplay sensibilities outside the norm. Playing as Amaterasu, an awesome white wolf with flames coming out of its back, gamers got to explore an absolutely beautiful cel-shaded game world whilst enjoying the action/adventure/puzzling gameplay that channelled the best parts of Zelda and Mario. Upon release, Okami had so much praise that 'Game of the Year' accolades were positively spilling out its pockets. Unfortunately, Okami proved that having such things does not make a game invulnerable to poor sales. Instead of GTA-esque levels of success, Okami had the dubious distinction of holding the Guinness World Record of the 'least commercially successful winner of a game of the year award'. Rather than an epic follow-up, a modest DS-only successor called Okamiden was released to moderate success and sales before any remaining buzz just faded away. With so much untapped potential in the franchise and having proven that video gaming and art can be combined successfully, Okami deserves another shot. Nintendo release new Mario and Zelda games every few years, so why can't Okami get the same treatment?
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