Ōkami Sequel Confirmed, Developed in RE Engine

Following the Game Awards announcement of a sequel to the beloved Ōkami, fan speculation immediately centered on Capcom's RE Engine powering the game, given Capcom's role 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' contribution, Sakata explained their role as a bridge between Capcom (IP holder and directional lead) and Clover (development lead). Machine Head Works' experience collaborating with Capcom and with director Hideki Kamiya, coupled with their familiarity with RE Engine, provides crucial support to Clover, whose developers lacked prior experience with the engine. Additionally, Machine Head Works boasts team members with experience on the original Ōkami.

When asked about the appeal of RE Engine and its suitability for an Ōkami sequel, Capcom producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi succinctly replied, "Yes," elaborating that Capcom believes Kamiya's artistic vision wouldn't be achievable without it. Kamiya himself added that RE Engine's renowned expressive capabilities align with fan expectations for the sequel's quality.

Sakata further highlighted RE Engine's potential, suggesting it allows the team to realize aspects of the original Ōkami's vision that were previously unattainable. He stated that current technology, particularly with RE Engine, enables them to achieve their past ambitions and surpass them.

RE Engine, Capcom's proprietary engine (originally developed for Resident Evil 7: Biohazard), has powered many of their 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 unique aesthetic is intriguing. Capcom's development of a successor engine, REX, with gradual integration into RE Engine, hints at the possibility of seeing some REX elements in the Ōkami sequel.

A full Q&A from our interview with the Ōkami sequel leads is available for further details.