Following the announcement of an Ōkami sequel at last year's Game Awards, speculation immediately arose regarding its development engine. IGN exclusively confirms that Capcom's proprietary RE Engine will power the game, based on interviews with key project leads.
In an extensive interview, Machine Head Works producer Kiyohiko Sakata confirmed the use of RE Engine, highlighting their role as a bridge between Capcom (IP holder and director of the game's overall vision) and Clover (lead developer). Sakata emphasized Machine Head Works' prior experience collaborating with Capcom and Clover, and their familiarity with RE Engine, which Clover lacked. He also mentioned the inclusion of team members with experience on the original Ōkami.
When asked about the appeal of RE Engine for this project, Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi succinctly stated, "Yes," elaborating that Capcom believes realizing director Hideki Kamiya's artistic vision wouldn't be possible without it. Kamiya himself added that RE Engine is renowned for its high-quality visuals and expressive capabilities, aligning with fan expectations for the sequel.
Sakata further hinted that RE Engine might allow the team to achieve goals unattainable with the original Ōkami's technology. He suggested that current technology, coupled with RE Engine, would enable them to surpass their previous ambitions.
RE Engine, originally developed for Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, has powered many of Capcom's major titles, including the Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, Street Fighter, and Dragon's Dogma franchises. While many RE Engine games feature a realistic art style, the prospect of its application to Ōkami's unique aesthetic is intriguing. Capcom's development of a successor engine, REX, and its potential integration into RE Engine, may also influence the Ōkami sequel's visual aspects.
A full Q&A with the development leads provides further insights into the upcoming Ōkami sequel.
