Literally man! If you had spoken to me years ago in my prime of playing it and being obsessed with it, I would be even MUCH worse than I am right now about it hahaha! I was so obsessed and passionate about it, genuinely in love with it!
I really can't recommend it enough, it's such a wonderfully atmospheric, emotional, beautiful, heartfelt, sincere, badass, epic rollercoaster of a game. It is LADEN with mythology, world building, lore, characterisation, goofiness/eccentricity/wackiness and its so FUCKING FUN to play too ofc!
There is some major BS in it with the optional challenges and maybe some boss fights but my god dude, it really is absolutely a one of a kind game. Think of the best parts of OP or any serie, games, movies etc you love, especially Japanese themed ones. That's Okami.
When I realised Yamato is OPs equivalent of Okami, I was SCREAMING with happpiness inside! I realised she might be and posted a brief theory of it just before it was revealed literally and was extremely happy to have it confirmed!
In Okami too, you play as Amaterasu who becomes that mythical white wolf AND here comes the WILDEST part!
There is a REAL clan called
KUROZUMIKYO in Japan! Founded on Shinto roots! And who do they worship?! AMATERASU, THE SUN GODDESS OF JAPAN!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurozumikyō
Kurozumikyō (黒住教), literally "the Teachings of Kurozumi," is a Japanese new religion largely derived from Shinto roots and founded in 1846. The founder, a Shinto priest by the name of Kurozumi, is claimed to have had a Divine union with Amaterasu, Goddess of the sun and chief Kami in the Shinto pantheon, in 1814.
The core beliefs of the sect center around this idea, and the assertion that Amaterasu is the source of all light and life, and creator of all the universe. Mankind is believed to be able to tap into the divine power of Amaterasu in order to heal the sick and perform other miracles. The sect is based in Okayama, and focuses on the virtues of sincerity, selflessness, hard work, and affirmation of the established social order.
Okami has a sequel starring the son of Amaterasu too, Okamiden!:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ōkamiden
:cheers:
I do really recommend Skies of Arcadia too for a truly fun pirate experience, adventure and story too! But Okami is a MUST imo especially during this arc!