Following the exciting Ōkami sequel announcement at The Game Awards, fan speculation immediately centered on Capcom's RE Engine powering the development, given their return as publisher. IGN can exclusively confirm this, based on interviews with key project leads.
In an extensive interview, Machine Head Works producer Kiyohiko Sakata confirmed the use of RE Engine. Regarding Machine Head Works' role, Sakata explained:
Machine Head Works' involvement, collaborating with Capcom and Clover, sees Capcom as the primary IP holder of Ōkami, setting the game's overall direction. Clover leads development. Machine Head Works bridges the gap, leveraging our prior experience with Capcom on multiple titles, understanding their needs. We also have a history with Kamiya-san. We act as a conduit between Clover and Capcom. Furthermore, our RE Engine expertise is invaluable, as Clover lacks experience with this engine, and we're providing support. Our team also includes individuals who worked on the original Ōkami, further assisting development.
When asked about RE Engine's appeal and its advantages for an Ōkami sequel, Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi simply replied, "Yes," elaborating:
We can't divulge specifics yet. However, Capcom believes that without RE Engine, director Hideki Kamiya's artistic vision for this project wouldn't be achievable.
Kamiya added:
RE Engine is renowned for showcasing the best in gaming visuals. Its expressive capabilities are exceptional. We believe fans anticipate and expect this level of quality from the game.
Sakata later hinted at RE Engine's potential, suggesting it allows the team to realize aspects of the original Ōkami's vision that were previously unattainable:
With today's technology and RE Engine, we can achieve what we previously aspired to, and perhaps even surpass it.
RE Engine, or Reach for the Moon Engine, is Capcom's proprietary engine, initially developed for Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. It has since powered major Capcom titles like the Resident Evil series, Monster Hunter, Street Fighter, and Dragon's Dogma. While many RE Engine games feature realistic art styles, the prospect of its application to Ōkami's unique aesthetic is intriguing. Capcom's new REX engine is gradually integrating into RE Engine, and some of its features might appear in the Ōkami sequel.
For a complete account of our interview with the Ōkami sequel's leads, including the full Q&A, please see the link provided.
