Following the announcement of a highly anticipated Ōkami sequel at The Game Awards, fan speculation immediately centered on Capcom's RE Engine powering the game, given Capcom's return as publisher. IGN can exclusively confirm these rumors after speaking 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, collaborating with Capcom and Clover, acts as a bridge. Capcom, as the major IP holder, sets the overall direction. Clover leads development. Our experience working with Capcom on numerous titles, understanding their needs, and our prior collaboration with Kamiya-san, provides valuable insight. We also bring expertise in RE Engine, which Clover lacks, offering crucial support. Furthermore, our team includes members with experience on the original Ōkami, contributing their knowledge to this sequel."
When asked about the appeal of RE Engine and its benefits for an Ōkami sequel, Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi succinctly replied, "Yes." He elaborated: "While details are limited, Capcom believes achieving director Hideki Kamiya's artistic vision for this project wouldn't be possible without RE Engine." Kamiya added, "RE Engine is renowned for its exceptional visual capabilities. We believe fans expect and anticipate this level of quality."
Later, Sakata hinted at RE Engine's potential to realize aspects of the original Ōkami's vision that were previously unattainable. "Today's technology, especially with RE Engine, allows us to achieve our past ambitions and even surpass them," he stated.
RE Engine, or Reach for the Moon Engine, Capcom's proprietary engine debuted in Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, has since powered major titles including the Resident Evil series, Monster Hunter, Street Fighter, and Dragon's Dogma. While most RE Engine games feature a realistic art style, the prospect of its application to Ōkami's distinctive visual style is intriguing. Capcom's development of the successor engine, REX, and its gradual integration into RE Engine, suggests the Ōkami sequel may incorporate some REX elements.
The full Q&A with the Ōkami sequel's leads provides further insights.
