Part 47: Console Breakdown

Differences Between the Wii and PS2 Versions

Right. As I’ve mentioned a few times, there are two versions of this game: the original version for PS2, and the Wii port. The differences between them are inconsequential for the most part. You can play either one and still get the full Okami experience. However, differences do exist. I’ll discuss them here.

First, The controls.

This is the most obvious difference between the PS2 original and the Wii port. In the original, attacking and the Fleetfoot God Technique are accomplished by a simple press of a button. In the port, attacking is done by the dreaded Wii-mote waggle, and the Fleetfoot by the even worse Nunchuk waggle. The Wii Remote waggle can be temperamental, but it’s not so bad once you get used to it (it’s easiest if you use Rosaries). The Fleetfoot though? UTTERLY FUCKING USELESS. Don’t use Fleetfoot in the Wii version. Ever. Trying is an exercise in futility. You will never be able to dodge in the direction you want to. I don’t know how well it works in the original, but it could hardly be worse!

Advantage- PS2 version

Celestial Brush

The Celestial Brush controls get their own section, because the Brush is such a big part of the game. In the PS2 version, the Brush is controlled with the analog stick. You can hold down different buttons to make thicker or thinner lines, but basically it’s just “hold down button, move stick.”

In the Wii version, the Brush is controlled (naturally) with the Wii Remote. This seems like an obvious way to control such a thing. In fact, it’s the sort of thing the Wii was made for. Now, the motion controls take some getting used to, but once you have it down, it feels very natural and intuitive. It’s also much quicker than in the PS2 version. You can whip the Brush out in a flash, draw something, and go back to what you were doing. If you’re used to the PS2 version, you may find yourself using the Brush a lot more often than before! The Wii controls are not without their faults, though. It’s more difficult to make straight lines and circles with the Wii-mote (as you’ve seen with my repeated derpiness with Bloom). This can also be problematic with Power Slash, but I find it helps immensely to just go slowly. Still, considering how often you use the Power Slash (all the time), it is something to keep in mind.

The PS2 analog controls are more precise, and it’s easier to make circles and straight lines, but they can also be a bit slow and clunky. Now, on the Wii version, you can actually lock the Brush in a horizontal position by holding the Z-button. Ostensibly, this makes it easier to draw a straight line, but I’ve never gotten it to work properly.

Advantage- tough call

I haven’t played the PS2 version so I don’t think I should be the one to call it.
Note: In Okamiden, the DS sequel to Okami, the Celestial Brush is controlled with the stylus. This is pure genius and the best of both worlds! The Brush controls are precise like on the PS2, and quick and natural like on the Wii. Okamiden would get the prize for best Celestial Brush controls, if this LP included it.

Next, The Graphics.

The game looks beautiful on both systems. The Wii can display it at higher resolution, but that’s not an issue unless you’re actually playing it on a PS2, rather than the PS3. However, there is still one key visual difference. On the PS2 version, there’s a filter over the graphics. The filter makes the background look textured, like paper. The graphics are also blurrier overall (remember- it’s supposed to look like a watercolor painting). The Wii version doesn’t have the textured filter, but the graphics are a bit sharper and the colors brighter. Personally, I prefer the sharpness of the Wii version, but the textured background was a nice thematic touch. It makes the game look even more like a painting.

Advantage- Neither. This is purely a matter of preference.

Cutscenes.

In the original, cutscenes were unskippable. This includes the opening cinematic. (The one that’s a good 20 minutes long? Yeah, that one!) This isn’t an issue when you first play the game, since you’ll want to watch it anyway. However, on subsequent playthroughs, it’s just obnoxious. You can mitigate this somewhat but leaving a separate save file at the River of the Heavens, but still. For the record, I loathe unskippable cutscenes; I like to play through games more than once! Plus, if you whiff something and have to load your save game or try again, it’s nice to not have to go through all the dialog you already saw.

The Wii version lets you skip cutscenes and dialog by pressing +.

Advantage- Wii version (in a big way!)

Loading Screens

You may not have noticed anything about them because I edit most of them out. However, if you play the PS2 version, you’ll notice that the loading screens are a bit different. In fact, there are actually two different kinds. In either one, you can play a mini-game or sorts to earn Demon Fangs while the game is loading. In the first one, which is the one the Wii version uses, push the X-button just as each of Amaterasu’s paws appears, and they’ll become larger. Do this for all of them in a row and you earn a Fang. The timing is tricky, and you could only get one or two at a time, but still, Fangs are Fangs. In the second, Ammy’s pawprints appear all over the screen. Mashing X nets you a Demon Fang. Again, you can only get one or two at a time, and some loading screens are too short to earn any. There must have been some sort of copyright issue with this, because the Wii port doesn’t have this feature. However, the loading times are also shorter. To anyone who has played a PS2 game with significant loading times (I’m looking at you, Crash Bandicoot! ) this is a welcome change.

Personally, I’ll take the shorter loading times over the ability to get Fangs. Once you have the Floral Finishers down, you’ll be swimming in Demon Fangs anyway, and I hate long load times.

Advantage- Wii version (It’s really more a matter of preference, but I’m calling it because I can! )

Lastly, The Credits

Tragically, the original credits (with the names of all the hardworking Clover staff) were removed in the Wii version. Something about not having the rights to use Clover’s logo, or some such bull. The ending cinematic was also removed for similar reasons. Now, this is not that big of a deal, I suppose, but it’s sad that all the people who worked so hard to make the game don’t get credit in the… well… credits. Now, you guys won’t feel the loss, because I’ll find the original credits and cinematic on Youtube and post them when the time comes. Still, it would have been nice to have them.

Advantage- PS2 version

And that’s all I’m saying about that, folks! Which version you get is largely a matter of preference, but please play the game! It’s a good game; it deserves to be played.

Note to PS3 owners: Okami is getting an [link] HD remaster on the PSN, to be released on 30 October, 2012. It will be compatible with both the standard controller and the Playstation Move. With the upscaled resolution and Move compatibility, it sounds to me like the remaster will combine the best features of the PS2 and Wii versions of the game. I’d say it’s worth looking into!




Sadly, no, like Pesky Splinter said. As to the virtue cannon thing, just wait until we get to the next boss.


Yes, next update will be the last of the dog-hunting bit. I'm sorry it's been boring. I tried to intersperse more interesting bits here and there, but this part is a bit of a slog. Otherwise, this is the part of the game where things really start picking up and getting interesting!

Oh, and if you like Susano, you will not be disappointed! We'll be seeing more of him soon.

Now, the next update is coming along. Obviously it won't be ready for a couple days now because of the holiday, but I should be on track to get it posted by the weekend. That said, I have some content to tide you all over until then. I've been sitting on it for awhile, waiting for a good time to post it. I guess this is the time.