Back in 2006, a relatively new friend found out I loved video games and told me about a game called Okami for the PS2. He explained it was a beautiful game where you played as the white wolf Amaterasu and were tasked with bringing nature back to the land.
Yes, please.
When I saw the art style (something that still floors me), I was immediately desperate to get a PS2. I wouldn’t wind up owning one until 2008, and the first game I bought was, no surprise, Okami.
I played through it and did everything I possibly could. I bought the game guide. I went through every nook and cranny, fed every creature I could possibly feed, healed the land, and marveled at the art direction and general beauty of the game.
Around the same time I finally landed a PS2, I also finally got a Wii. Getting a Wii at that time was a feat unto itself. I had been looking for one for the better part of a year, and the same friend who told me about Okami told me about a secret squirrel mission of shipments and a sale and where I might be able to score one for myself.
He was right.
One of the first games I bought for that Wii? Okami.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get terribly far into that port. As much as the idea of using a Wiimote to emulate the brushstrokes in the game sounded appealing, the actuality fell short for me. I found it was far more difficult to execute the strokes than it had been in the PS2 version, and I wound up putting the game down permanently for the Wii.
Fast forward to 2012 when an HD port of the game released for the PS3. Of course I jumped at the chance to play the game again, this time in a prettier and clearer package.
It took my breath away all over again.
The first time nature was restored to the land and everything exploded into cherry blossom petals made me burst into tears. It’s such a deeply beautiful game, and I was so grateful to be playing it again.
When it was announced earlier this year that an HD port would be coming to PS4, I pre-ordered the physical edition immediately. The trailer instantly choked me up and reminded me why this remains one of my top ten games of all time.
(I just watched the trailer again and am already in tears. It’s so beautiful.)
The PS4 version releases on December 12th. I couldn’t believe that the physical version cost only $20.
Then, yesterday, I was online and saw a post about the digital version available on the PlayStation Store. It said if you pre-ordered the game digitally, you would get two free themes for your PS4.
I told myself, welllllllll, I will just go look at them.
You know what happened next.
Yes. I pre-ordered the digital version, too. Those themes are gorgeous.
All told, I’ve now bought Okami in all its forms a total of five times. Five. And I’d gladly do it again. I have the original game guide, the art book, and, earlier this year, I finally obtained the five disc soundtrack which was all kinds of worth it.
It’s one of those games that is soothing just to think about. It’s beautiful in so many ways I want an experience to be beautiful. Stepping into the paws of Amaterasu (one of my top two favorite video game characters of all time, the other being Geralt from The Witcher) is always a joy. This time there is the added bonus of being able to take as many screenshots and video clips as I’d like and let me just tell you, there will be so many.
What games have you purchased multiple times? I’d love to hear about which games and which platforms. This is a topic that greatly interests me, as I love when people are so taken with a game, they are compelled to play it in every iteration.
Also, what will you be playing this weekend? I’m hoping to wrap up Wolfenstein: The New Order so I can move along to some other titles. I told myself I wanted to get into Wolfenstein: The New Colossus, but I may eschew that for some other big games on my list like Assassin’s Creed: Origins and a handful of digital titles.
Cheers, friends!
Categories: games
Rebekah Lang 
This is the danger of new consoles now – old games get re-released every generation and you’re forced to buy them for each console to keep playing them! I’m keeping my 3DS and Wii U so I can stop buying classic Nintendo games – once is enough!
Having said that, I’ve bought GTA 3 four times (PS2, Mobile, Steam and PS4) and never got off the first island, so don’t listen to me!
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I do think more and more people are keeping older consoles so I’m not sure I’d say you’re forced into buying them (or any game). I love that they are making these games available to play on current hardware. I mean, if you don’t want them, no harm no foul. If you DO, well then, bonanza! :)
But I definitely hear you with Nintendo. Good lord, when I think about how many times I’ve bought Super Mario Bros. 2…
Aww, well you can always pick it back up and get off that island! I believe in you!
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Thanks – I need the encouragement!
I think it’s great that they are releasing older games on new consoles…there’s just a few that I can’t justify buying over and over again i.e. Sonic and Mario. Meanwhile, I’ve got no way of playing No More Heroes or Burnout 3 without getting original hardware ☹️ I wish more machines were backwards compatible.
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I hope to always be encouraging!
I love backwards compatibility, but I recall seeing the statistics on how many people use the functionality (this was before backwards compatibility was available on the Xbox One), and it was something ridiculously low like 5%. I’d need to do some research to find out for sure. I’m also curious how the Xbox One affected that statistic. I like numbers!
It is a bummer when there is a specific game you want to play but it is only available on ONE historic platform. I just FINALLY got a copy of Eternal Darkness, but I don’t have a GameCube or a Wii to play it on. One step at a time, I suppose! :)
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I appreciate it!
Yeah I heard that no one really uses Backward Compatibility…made me sad to be honest. I love the idea of being able to build a huge library of games and losing an entire generation of games is sad, especially when you move to the next gen and there are no games out yet!
Never played Eternal Darkness, but always wanted to – nice pickup! Hope you find a GameCube/old model Wii to play it on soon!
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I agree. I have a feeling due to the Xbox One, that backwards compatibility has increased in usage.
I am going to keep my eyes open for a cheap Wii or GameCube over the holiday. I bet I find one!
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Coincidentally, today I bought Saints Row The Third for the third time. I had on PS3, then PC and now I got the Xbox 360 to play on Xbox One. I think I never bough a game more than three times.
Saints Row The Third – PS3, PC and X360
GTA San Andreas – PS3, PC and PS4(I had a ps2 version too, but, well…video games weren’t officially released by then and until then piracy was basically the only reality for gaming to 12yo me)
Bully – PS3, PC and X360(BC too)
Then I bought a bunch of games twice, specially with all the remasters we had at the beggining of this generation.
This weekend I will be playing Darksiders 2 and maybe some other stuff. I’m considering getting Fractured But Whole on sale for xbox one.
Have a nice weekend!
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Ha! No way! That’s pretty funny. Are you going to buy Saints Row 4, four times? :)
That’s a good point about buying a lot of games twice due to remasters. I know I’ve done that more than I’d like to admit.
Did you get Fractured on sale? If so, I hope you enjoy it!
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I’ve never played Okami so I look forward to playing it.
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OH MY GOSH COLTON IT IS SO GOOD
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I didn’t buy games multiple times but this one has my attention. Back then I loved Okamiden, never played Okami though. You know I’m not good at console gaming. But now Capcom pledged their faith in the Switch I really hope Okami HD will come to the Switch too!
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I still need to play Okamiden! And if Okami comes to Switch, I can’t encourage you play it enough! It’s one of my top five games of all time. It’s so beautiful in so many ways I want a game to be beautiful. I think you would LOVE it!
And I bet you are far better at console gaming than you think! Just look at the Switch!
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Well, it’s not that I’m not good at console gaming in itself. It’s that I’m not good at being glued to the big screen apart from the rest of the family. The Switch is perfect for me!
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Oh! I’m sorry, I misunderstood. Now I get it! And I can see how the Switch would be the perfect combination for you!
I find myself wanting one more and more.
Also, are you playing Pocket Camp? If so, please add me!
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Yes, I’m playing Pocketcamp! What’s you code, so I can add you! It’s a bit of a toned down version right?
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WHEEE!! My code is: 2240.8440.104
Please let’s be friends! And yes, it’s just making me want a proper entry for Switch.
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